8 October 2010
Thumbs Up for Yarra River Drought Management
Melbourne Water has welcomed an Auditor General’s report praising the management of the Yarra River while flows were restricted to support the city’s water needs during extreme drought.
The Yarra River has historically provided about 70 per cent of Melbourne’s drinking water, and there are rules in place to ensure the river receives the flows required to maintain its environmental health.
In response to the unprecedented dry conditions that drove water storages to record lows, from 2007 to 2009 more water was taken from the Yarra River to meet the city’s needs. The flows are being progressively returned to the Yarra as storage levels continue to recover.
The Auditor General’s report states Melbourne Water “identified the most likely risks and included detailed plans for monitoring and responding to them” and had “managed the environmental risks well”.
The report also noted Melbourne Water:
- Reported weekly on water quality and flow monitoring results related to the flow restrictions.
- Used water extraction rules to protect a high-flow event in spring 2009, important for the breeding cycle of the protected Macquarie perch.
- Detected no environmental emergencies during the flow restrictions period.
Melbourne Water’s General Manager of Waterways, Chris Chesterfield, said the Auditor General’s report confirmed the corporation had met the challenge of balancing the needs of a city of 4 million people and the health of one Melbourne’s most iconic natural assets.
“Melburnians had done all that was asked of them to save water, but the worsening drought, including our driest ever year in 2006, meant more water was needed while work continued to bring new sources on line,” said Mr Chesterfield.
“I’m pleased that the Auditor General’s report has recognised the high level of rigour we applied to planning, managing and monitoring the Yarra’s health while ensuring a secure water supply in extraordinary circumstances.
“The Yarra’s health has improved significantly in the past year with more rain and new water sources helping to reduce our dependence on the river,” he added.
Improved rainfall since spring 2009 has increased flows in the Yarra River, boosting the waterway’s health by improving water quality and conditions for plants and animals such as native fish and platypus.
Melbourne Water looks after 8,400km of rivers and creeks across the Port Phillip and Westernport region.
Media Contact: Nicolas McGay +613 9235 2278 +61 (0)438 981 836