The Concerned Waterways Alliance has made a submission to the Department of Transport and Planning's Engage Victoria regarding Planning for our Waterways. We have expressed our firm support for the widespread implementation of Significant Landscape Overlays (SLOs). These planning controls help shield our rivers from inappropriate development, ensuring that they continue to thrive for generations to come.
Our waterways are the lifeblood of our environment, shaping the landscapes we love and sustaining countless species. But as Melbourne continues to grow, these vital ecosystems face mounting threats from unchecked development and urban expansion.
Why This Matters
Waterways aren’t just bodies of water; they are ecological corridors, connecting catchments, supporting biodiversity, and providing essential green spaces for local communities. As Melbourne’s population grows and high-density living becomes more common, access to healthy, connected parklands is more critical than ever. Research has shown that exposure to natural environments benefits mental health, reduces stress, and fosters a stronger sense of community.
The Alliance argues that what has been done for the Yarra River—through its planning controls and overlays—must now be extended to all of Melbourne’s waterways. The same high level of protection must be applied consistently across the city, from urban creeks to coastal estuaries. The principle is simple: if it’s good for the Yarra, it’s good for all waterways.
What Needs to Happen
The submission lays out a comprehensive vision for safeguarding our waterways, including:
- Extending SLO protections beyond the initial 14 waterways identified by the government.
- Mandating Design and Development Overlays (DDOs), as applied to the Yarra, for all river corridors.
- Recognising waterways as interconnected systems that need protection from source to bay.
- Ensuring councils conduct cumulative impact assessments to prevent gradual environmental degradation.
- Making Melbourne Water a referral authority to guarantee informed planning decisions.
- Strengthening stormwater management requirements to improve water quality and flow.
- Requiring permits for activities that disturb sensitive landscapes, such as sodic soil areas prone to erosion.
- Ensuring new developments incorporate green spaces, rather than sacrificing them for rapid urban expansion.
- Committing government-owned land to public parklands, following successful models along Merri and Darebin Creeks.
One of the most critical aspects of the Alliance’s submission is the rejection of exemptions for high-growth areas. Some argue that rapidly developing suburbs should be excused from strict environmental protections, but the reality is that these are the areas that need green spaces and waterway buffers the most. If we allow unchecked development in these corridors, we risk losing crucial wildlife habitats and turning our rivers into little more than polluted drains.
The Concerned Waterways Alliance envisions a future where waterways are treated as more than just natural assets to be managed—they are living, interconnected ecosystems that require stewardship and long-term commitment. This shift in thinking is crucial if we are to leave a healthy environmental legacy for future generations.
Government policies have made promising strides, but actions must follow words. The Alliance is calling on the Department of Transport and Planning to take stronger steps toward enforcement, ensuring that the protections put in place are not just symbolic but actively upheld. This includes clear penalties for violations, education for council planners, and ongoing consultation with local communities and Traditional Owners to ensure that decision-making is guided by those who know and cherish these environments best.