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Melbourne Water

Melbourne's water
storages are currently

34.1%

Improving Our Rivers and Creeks

We invest around $60 million a year to protect and improve the health of our rivers and creeks.

This includes:

  • improving river beds and banks
  • preventing pollution and erosion
  • creating and improving natural environments for native animals and fish
  • improving water quality by building litter traps, wetlands and other stormwater treatment measures
  • removing weeds and cleaning up litter and pollution spills
  • working with landowners and local communities to replant along rivers and creeks
  • working with councils and developers to treat pollution and stormwater from urban areas (with a focus on managing urban growth)
  • monitoring the health of our rivers and creeks
  • educating the community about our rivers and creeks.
Litter trap on the lower Yarra River

Litter trap on the lower Yarra River

Threats to our rivers and creeks

The most significant threats to our rivers and creeks are:

  • urban development and changes in land use
  • agricultural activities
  • impacts of drought and climate change
  • loss of plant life
  • unnaturally low or high river flows
  • poor water quality
  • erosion of creek beds and banks
  • barriers to fish movement
  • weeds and introduced fish.
Planning for the future

Long-term planning is important to make sure our rivers and creeks stay healthy and continue to be places we want to visit.

2008 Waterways Water Plan
Capital Operating Expenditure Graph

Our 2008 Waterways Water Plan is a summary of the next five years, from 2008/9 through to 2012/13. It covers the:

  • activities and outcomes we plan to deliver and how much these will cost
  • prices we plan to charge to fund our activities.

This plan was created after consultation with community, government and regulatory groups. The Essential Services Commission will review the plan and set the prices to fund our waterway activities.

Waterways Operating Charter

Our Waterways Operating Charter (PDF, 3.95mb) supports the financial and pricing information outlined in the Waterways Water Plan.

It outlines our long-term goals and targets for 2008-2013, including specific programs to improve our rivers and creeks and provide a safe level of flood protection for communities.

It details how we will work with government agencies, communities, local councils, rural landholders, developers and other partners to complete works and achieve our goals.

More information:

Challenges for the future

Urban growth - The region’s population is expected to grow by more than 800,000 people by 2030. We must protect our rivers and creeks while providing services for urban growth.

Climate change - According to research, climate change means an increased likelihood of higher temperatures, less rainfall and extreme storms. Possible impacts of climate change on our rivers and creeks will need to be taken into account in managing river health.

Managing flood risks - There are more than 100,000 properties at risk of flooding. With a rise in households and possible climate changes, flood and drainage management will need to adjust to changing circumstances.

Working with communities - In a region with 3.8 million people and 38 local councils, we need to understand and respond to the needs of a diverse community.