Piloting the development of sub-catchment planning for integrated water management
This project has been identified as a pilot site for the development and implementation of a sub-catchment plan in a predominately greenfield development setting. A primary requirement is to elevate Traditional Owners to be recognised as an equal planning authority.
The sub-catchment is undergoing significant development as part of the Northern Growth Corridor to expand housing, transport, employment and lifestyle opportunities in Melbourne’s northern suburbs. To further identify and address issues, challenges and barriers related to integrated water management and the planning requirements (both water and urban planning policies), this process relies on collaboration amongst the organisations responsible for delivering services for the existing and future community.
The process requires input from the broader community and stakeholders to ensure that what they value is incorporated within the vision and outcome of the project that the partnering organisations will look to deliver.
This project is Action 11 in the Yarra Integrated Water Management Forum’s Strategic Directions Statement.
Themes and Local Areas
| Primary Theme: | Water Supply and Use |
| Other Themes: | Waterways, Wetlands, Land Use, Sustainable Agriculture, Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Victorians, Communities, Climate Change |
| Primary Local Area: | Macedon Ranges, Hume, Mitchell & Whittlesea |
| Other Local Areas: | |
| Project location: | Using the Healthy Waterways Strategy Sub-Catchments, this project location is the Upper Merri Creek, incorporating the northern section of the Lower Merri Creek sub-catchment. The project area extends from the Western Ring Rd (to the south of Hume and Whittlesea LGAs) to Wallan in the north. |
| Scale of the project: | Landscape |
| New or continuing work: | Building on previous work |
Project partners
| Lead organisation: | Yarra Valley Water |
| Key partners: | Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, Melbourne Water, Hume City Council, Mitchell Shire Council, City of Whittlesea, Victorian Planning Authority |
| Registered Aboriginal Party/s relevant to the project or its area: | Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation |
Investment opportunities
| Opportunities for investors within this project start from: | $$$ (Hundreds of thousands of dollars) |
| Estimated scale of investment for full project implementation: | $$$$$ (Tens of millions of dollars) |
| Estimated timeframe for full project implementation: | 10+ years |
Contribution toward targets
| Primary Regional Catchment Strategy target: | 1.1 Water supply and use – Adequate and stable water supplies have been secured for households, businesses, farms, Traditional Owners and the environment. Various water supply options have been effectively harnessed including stormwater harvesting, manufactured water and recycled water use. Water is shared, distributed and used efficiently by all users. |
| Relevant Biodiversity 2037 goal: | – |
| Relevant National Landcare Program priority: | – |
More information
Yarra Strategic Directions Statement (Integrated Water Management Catchment Forums)
