July 25, 2023
The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action is developing a new Victorian Waterway Management Strategy. It will guide how Victorian waterways are managed into the future.
Rivers, wetlands, estuaries, and their floodplains are the lifeblood of many Victorian towns and communities. From cool mountain streams in alpine areas to popular estuaries across the coast – waterways underpin the wellbeing and productivity of individuals, communities, and regional economies.
The existing Victorian Waterway Management Strategy was released in 2013, providing a detailed policy framework for managing the health of Victoria’s rivers, wetlands, estuaries and floodplains (referred to collectively as ‘waterways’) over an eight-year period.
A new Victorian Waterway Management Strategy is needed to ensure strong policies are in place for managing Victoria’s waterways, particularly in the face of the changing population and climate conditions. A key focus of the new Strategy will be identifying pathways to increase Traditional Owner self-determination and decision-making in waterway management.
DEECA want to hear from you about how to improve our waterways for things that matter most to you. DEECA invite early feedback on a discussion starter to help shape the development of the new draft Strategy. The final Strategy is expected to be released in 2025. DEECA will work closely with key stakeholders throughout the project on development of the new Strategy. The next round of formal public consultation will take place when the draft Strategy is released for public comment, expected in 2024.
For further information and to contribute to the survey click this link.
