Land use and development decisions shape how Birrarung functions and is experienced. Decisions about the location, scale and design of development can affect the river and her lands in many ways, including through changes to access, vegetation, views, water flows and management and how people use and experience the catchment. These impacts can be direct, indirect or build up over time.

Planning decisions affecting Birrarung should:

  • Consider environmental, cultural, social and recreational outcomes together, rather than separately
  • Look beyond individual sites, projects and boundaries
  • Consider long-term, off-site and cumulative impacts
  • Recognise and respect Traditional Owner knowledge and perspectives
  • Support the long-term health and resilience of Birrarung and her lands.

What this means in practice

Practical steps that planners can take to care for Birrarung include:

  • Build and deepen their understanding of Birrarung through direct experience, including by visiting the river, tributaries and parklands
  • Listen to and learn from Traditional Owners and their knowledge of Country about what is valued and what requires protection
  • Involve the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong Peoples in planning and decision-making within their RAP boundaries
  • Explore connections upstream, downstream and across the catchment
  • Collaborate across organisations, disciplines and jurisdictions
  • Engage communities and stakeholders in developing options and solutions
  • Identify, avoid and mitigate long-term, cumulative, catchment-wide, and off-site impacts
  • Look for opportunities to protect, enhance and improve the health and resilience of Birrarung, rather than simply minimising harm.

Page last updated: 30/10/26