The principles may be relevant to a wide range of decisions and activities, including:

  • strategic planning
  • planning scheme amendments
  • planning permit applications
  • infrastructure and transport projects
  • policy and program development
  • land and asset management
  • operational activities undertaken by Responsible Public Entities.

The circumstances in which the Protection Principles must be considered depend on the decision-maker, the function being exercised and the land affected. Obligations commonly overlap and may arise under the Birrarung Act, planning schemes, Ministerial Directions and other legislation.

While statutory obligations rest with decision-makers, proponents should also consider the Protection Principles when developing proposals. Early consideration can strengthen project design, identify opportunities to improve outcomes for Birrarung and support more efficient assessment and decision-making processes.

The table below identifies when different decision makers need to consider the Protection Principles and the land to which those obligations apply.

When the Protection Principles apply to decision-making

Diagram showing three categories of land relevant to when the Yarra Protection Principles must be considered. From left: Yarra River land, represented by individual land parcels in the vicinity of Birrarung; the Yarra Strategic Plan area, represented by a corridor extending along both banks of the river and including parkland and urban areas; and other land, represented by the wider river catchment, with waterways flowing from mountainous areas through the catchment towards the bay.

Exemptions may apply to decisions relating to declared projects under the Major Transport Projects Facilitation Act 2009 and projects under the Suburban Rail Loop Act 2021.

Land that may affect Yarra River land 

Use and development outside Yarra River land may still affect the river and her lands. Across Birrarung’s catchment, decision-makers should consider potential direct, indirect, cumulative and catchment-wide impacts.

The Protection Principles must be considered for any proposal that may affect the river and her lands, regardless of whether the potential affects are positive or negative.

Identifying relevant land

Use the Yarra River Land Webmap to identify whether land is:

  • Yarra River land
  • within the Yarra Strategic Plan area, or
  • within the Birrarung catchment where use or development may affect Yarra River land.

Users can search by address or location to identify the relevant land category.

Birrarung's Catchment as shown in the Yarra River land WebMap

Map of the Birrarung catchment across Greater Melbourne, showing the river corridor, tributaries, municipalities, forests and urban areas. The map identifies riverbed, soil and banks, declared parcels of Yarra River land, the Upper Rural, Lower Rural, Suburban and Inner City river reaches, and the catchment boundary.
Map of the Birrarung catchment across Greater Melbourne, showing the river corridor, tributaries, municipalities, forests and urban areas. The map identifies riverbed, soil and banks, declared parcels of Yarra River land, the Upper Rural, Lower Rural, Suburban and Inner City river reaches, and the catchment boundary.

Page last updated: 30/10/26