Yarra Strategic Plan 'Burndap Birrarung burndap umarkoo'

The Yarra Strategic Plan (the Plan) represents a partnership with Traditional Owners − the Bunurong and Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung − and is underpinned by legislation, a 50-year community vision and the establishment of the Birrarung Council in 2018, which consists of Traditional Owners and community representatives to oversee the plan.

The Plan was endorsed by the eight local councils including Nillumbik Shire Council, seven state government agencies and six committees of management, who collectively have committed to implementing the Plan in partnership with the Traditional Owners on their Country as part of the Yarra Collaborative Committee. The Plan was subsequently provided to the government for endorsement by the relevant ministers and approved for implementation on February 11th 2022.

The collaborative approach to the Plan is reflected in the name Burndap Birrarung burndap umarkoo – which means “what is good for the Yarra is good for all”.

The Plan – which builds on the landmark Yarra River Protection (Wilip-gin Birrarung murron) Act 2017 − sets out 40 actions reflecting community values, including expanding parklands and habitat restoration, and revegetation works to increase native fish populations.

The Plan also looks at increasing access to berthing sites along the inner city reaches for tourism and enhancing Aboriginal cultural values and heritage values through interpretive signs and education.

Melbourne Water will continue as lead agency for implementation of the plan. Nillumbik Shire maintain an ongoing role as part of the Yarra Collaborative Committee in implementation of the Plan.

Find out more and download a copy of the Plan at the Melbourne Water website.