Go Yarra Flow
When the eyes of the world turned to Melbourne for the Commonwealth Games in March 2006, the Yarra River was its main star.
Fireworks shot colour across a twighlight sky from the corrugated metal fins of 72 amazing fish sculptures that floated on the water near Federation Square. Thousands of people watched. It was a moment to be proud of.
So why has the Yarra River been allowed to suffer?
The Yarra River provides us with some of the best drinking water in the world. In an average year, 70 percent of Melbourne’s freshwater supplies are sourced from its upper reaches. And we don’t just drink its water. We use it to flush our toilets and irrigate our farms. Some 400 billion litres of water are taken every year from the Yarra to meet our needs.
It’s left the river high and dry, with its health under increasing stress from overuse. Right now, the Yarra’s flow is only a fraction of its natural level – threatening the birds, fish, frogs and platypus that make the river their home.
Go Yarra Flow!
Our campaign aims to send a strong message to the Victorian Government that the people of Melbourne value a healthy Yarra River. Together with the Yarra Riverkeeper Association, we’re urging the government to:
- Honour their commitment to deliver life-giving environmental flows to the Yarra River
- Commit to making Melbourne a water-sensitive city by adopting the recommendations outlined in our vision for Melbourne’s water future.
Get involved!
Let the Victorian Government know that you value a healthy Yarra River.
For more information, contact Ian Penrose, Yarra Riverkeeper on 0409 510 766.
(What’s Ian’s story anyway? Check it out)
We’ve been pretty busy. Check out some of our adventures below
Baillieu’s plan a further blow for the Yarra
Wednesday 14 October 2009
In response to the Victorian Liberal Party’s claims today that more water should be pumped from the Yarra into water storages, Environment Victoria’s acting CEO Mark Wakeham said:
...
moreGovernment actions push Yarra’s native fish to the brink
Wednesday, 30 September 2009
The Victorian Government’s ongoing failure to provide adequate environmental flows to the Yarra River has pushed the endangered Macquarie Perch to the brink of...
moreSmart water solutions still needed
Thursday, 30 July 2009
Victoria’s peak environment group today raised concerns about the Brumby Government’s long-term water strategy for Melbourne following today’s announcement of the desalination plant proponents./...
moreCommunity calls on Richmond MP to revive ailing Yarra
Friday, 5 June 2009
Concerned community members, together with Environment Victoria and the Yarra Riverkeeper Association, today gathered outside Richard Wynne’s electorate office to remind the Member for Richmond...
moreDrought-stressed Yarra and Thomson need more water
Friday, 22 May 2009
Environment Victoria and the Yarra Riverkeeper Association were today disappointed with the Water Minister’s decision to consider taking more water from the already stressed Yarra and Thomson...
moreStudents, green groups call on Melbourne MP to keep promise and save the Yarra
Thursday 21 May, 2009
Concerned local students, together with Environment Victoria and Yarra Riverkeeper Association, today gathered outside Bronwyn Pike’s electorate office to remind the...
moreEnvironmental flows audit shows the gaps between promises and performance
April 2009
The Victorian government has made commitments to set aside water for environmental flows to improve the health of our river systems. Environment Victoria decided to take a look at how...
moreNew Report: Water Security, Healthy Rivers
Friday, 28 November 2008
With summer fast approaching and water storages at record lows, Environment Victoria today released a report that shows how Melbourne can tackle its urgent water problems, while helping its struggling...
more
Twitter
A good long rain
But the Yarra’s still thirsty
Earlier today I was standing on the banks of the Yarra River out at Warrandyte, hopeful for the sight and sound of rushing flows of water after the weekend’s rain.
But as Yarra Riverkeeper Ian Penrose observed, today the...
more
From forests to rivers
I'm delighted to be with Environment Victoria
For me, rivers are a web of links across the state. Until recently I was a forest campaigner working to protect the remaining old-growth forests here in Victoria. Now, that I’ve got a rivers focus to my days, the patchy...
more
What’s your vision for Victoria?
Have your voice heard!
In 2010, both the state and federal governments go to the polls. And what better opportunity to put a little pressure on those pollies and get the policies we need for our environment.
A healthy environment and a safe future for all...
more
Invest in ethical funds
and make a positive difference
One great way to safeguard our environment is by choosing an ethical fund or savings account. We sense a bit of eyebrow raising, but it is fair dinkum…
Ethical investment is about making sure you know what your money is doing...
more
All I want for Christmas is a little less conversation and little more action
Mr Rudd and Mr Brumby!
Outside the Bella Centre at the opening of the Copenhagen Climate Summit there was a sign that simply said 'Blah, Blah, Blah'. I can't think of anything that more aptly frames the conference and its disappointing outcomes.
I don't know...
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Flickr
- Victoria: green and growing |
- Water Security, Healthy Rivers: Our Vision for Melbourne |
- An Audit of Seven Environmental Bulk Entitlements – Recommended, Planned, and Actual Release of Environmental Water to Victoria’s Stressed Rivers |
- Submission to 2009 Biennial Assessment of progress in Implementation of the National Water Initiative |
- Environment Victoria’s submission to the draft Northern Region Sustainable Water Strategy |
- Inquiry into Melbourne's Future Water Supply |
- Environment Victoria submission to Environment Effects Statement for the Victorian Desalination Project |
- Submission to the EPBC investigation of the Sugarloaf Pipeline |
- Environment Victoria submission to Project Impact Assessment of the Sugarloaf Pipeline Proposal |
- Submission to Northern Region Sustainable Water Strategy Discussion Paper |
