The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action has released the Victorian Waterway Management Strategy.  

The updated strategy sets out a plan for managing Victoria’s rivers, estuaries, wetlands and floodplains over the next ten years.

It builds on more than 20 years of experience and lessons learned, providing a detailed framework for managing the health of our waterways.

The strategy also acknowledges the importance of the work of community groups, scientists, recreational water users, farmers, volunteers and others in caring for waterways. It values and enables Traditional Owners’ cultural obligations to care for Country.

It supports Catchment Management Authorities, including North East CMA, to develop and implement new regional waterway strategies, working with communities to understand local conditions and priorities. New regional strategies, including the North East Regional Waterway Strategy, are now under development.  

Earlier this year Victorians living and working near waterways were encouraged to visit the Engage Vic website, review the draft strategy and make a submission. Submissions are summarised in a What We Heard report, available on the DEECA website.

Your contributions have helped to inform and shape the direction of the Strategy. 

You can find out more and read the Victorian Waterway Management Strategy by visiting: https://www.water.vic.gov.au/waterways/victorian-waterway-management-program/victorian-waterway-management-strategy