Planning for Birrarung (the Yarra River)

Caring for Birrarung, our Yarra River

Birrarung, our Yarra River, flows from the mountains to the sea, passing through bushland, farmland, suburbs and the city. Each part of the river corridor faces different pressures from land use, development and access. Planning protections respond to these local differences while supporting the health of the whole river.

Birrarung is a living entity. Its 4,000-hectare catchment links every plant, animal, waterway, landscape and community along its length.

The Victorian Government works closely with Traditional Owners, communities and councils to uphold planning protections for Birrarung. Together, we aim to protect the river’s natural and cultural values for current and future generations.

Why do we need planning controls?

What happens in one part of the catchment can affect the river’s health both upstream and downstream. This is why careful planning is needed to safeguard the whole river system.

Planning controls help manage how land is used and developed along Birrarung. They protect water quality and support wildlife habitats. They also ensure people can safely enjoy walking, cycling and spending time in nature along the river.

Consistent planning controls help keep the river’s natural look and feel, and support its long-term health. They make sure that decisions made in one area take into account what the whole river needs overall to stay healthy.

When harm occurs in one place, it can impact the health and amenity of the whole river system. Our planning controls work across council boundaries. This ensures a joined-up, consistent approach to Birrarung’s long-term protection.

What are the Birrarung (Yarra River) planning controls?

Over the past decade, new planning controls have been introduced to better protect Birrarung.

The controls:

• guide where buildings and structures can be located near the river
• maintain views to and from the river and its surrounding landscapes
• protect significant trees and native vegetation
• support growth and development in places where it is most appropriate
• encourage designs that complement the natural character of the river corridor
• help keep the landscape and environment healthy for people and wildlife.

Some controls apply only to Birrarung, while others benefit all waterways across Victoria.

Where can I find the planning controls?

The planning controls are set out in planning schemes as follows:

• Clause 12.03-1S River corridors, waterways, lakes and wetlands
  A state policy that applies to all waterways in Victoria.
• Clause 12.03-1R Birrarung (Yarra River)
  A dedicated policy in 23 planning schemes covering municipalities in the Birrarung catchment.
• Clause 11.03-6R Birrarung Bolin Framework Plan
  A local policy in the Manningham and Banyule planning schemes for the Birrarung-Bolin Precinct in Bulleen and Heidelberg.
• Clause 51.06 Birrarung (Yarra River) Protection
  An extra provision in eight planning schemes with Yarra River land: Melbourne, Boroondara, Stonnington, Yarra, Banyule, Manningham, Nillumbik and Yarra Ranges.
• Schedules to overlays: Significant Landscape Overlay (42.03) and Design and Development Overlay (43.02)
  Protects the river between Richmond and Warrandyte in the Melbourne, Stonnington, Yarra, Banyule, Manningham and Nillumbik planning schemes.
• Schedule to Public Acquisition Overlay (45.01)
  Supports future parkland expansion in the Yarra, Banyule, Manningham and Nillumbik municipalities.

How do the planning controls relate to the Yarra River Protection (Wilip-gin Birrarung murron) Act 2017?

The Yarra River Protection (Wilip-gin Birrarung murron) Act 2017:

• recognises Birrarung as a natural living entity.
• sets out principles for decisions affecting the river and its land (Part 2)
• encourages collaboration to care for Birrarung
• provides a framework for the community’s 50-Year Vision and Burndap Birrarung burndap umarkoo (Yarra Strategic Plan) 2022-2032.

Planning controls put the Act into practice by embedding its purpose and principles into planning decisions.

How were the planning controls implemented?

Since 2015 several planning scheme amendments have implemented planning controls:

Identifying Yarra River Land

Yarra River Land is usually public land near the river. You can identify it by using our interactive map.

Page last updated: 01/08/25