Urban Waterways Alliance
A network of community environmental organisations,
each representing an urban waterway,
working to heal our loved but degraded water systems.
What?
We are a network of community environmental organisations, each representing an urban
waterway, working to heal our loved but degraded water systems. By working together and sharing
knowledge and resources, we are a stronger voice for our waterways. We are a voice for change and
a new way of protecting and advocating for urban waterways. We are proud to be part of the
Concerned Waterways Alliance.
Who?
Our members groups include:
Yarra Riverkeeper Association, Maribyrnong River and Waterways Association, Werribee River
Association, Darebin Parklands Association, Darebin Creek Management Committee Merri Creek
Management Committee, Friends of Steele Creek, The Waterways Network and the KooyongKoot Alliance.
Why?
We each have a deep knowledge of our waterway and a passion for it and a passion to defend and
improve it. Our waterways share the same problems: urban stream syndrome, poor planning, poor
water quality, litter, loss of biodiversity, and the urban heat island effect, among others. We also
hold many of the solutions. By working together, we can better understand the problems of our
waterways and share the solutions and speak for out waterways collectively and individually. Our
collective voice and advocacy call for rejuvenating our degraded waterways.
Updates
Permanent Planning Controls for Melbourne’s and Western Waterways – A Landmark Win for Our Rivers
December 2025 Today marks a notable victory for Victoria’s waterways and those who have fought to protect them. The Victorian Government has officially gazetted Amendment VC278 on the 23rd December 2025, establishing permanent planning controls to safeguard 17 urban...
Urban Waterways Alliance Submission to Infrastructure Victoria’s Draft 30-Year Infrastructure Strategy
A Call for Stronger Investment in Melbourne’s Urban Rivers The Urban Waterways Alliance (UWA), a coalition of six respected catchment and river-focused organisations across Greater Melbourne, has submitted a strong, solutions-focused response to Infrastructure...
Feb 2024
The UWA is committed to supporting the Victorian government’s initiatives to include the Traditional Owner concept of waterways as a single living entity in the Planning Schemes of Victoria, first in the Yarra Planning Controls, then in the Waterways of the West and Barwon Action Plans, and now in the election promise in 2022 for planning protection for 14 of Melbourne’s waterways, and followed by the 2023 budgetary commitment of over $2 million dollars for a dedicated planning team to achieve this promise.
Thank you to the Premier Jacinta Allen and to the Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny.
Gardiners Creek Kooyongkoot
Enquiries
The Concerned Waterways Alliance acknowledges that the lands and waterways of southern Victoria are the unceded territories of Easter Marr, Wadawurrung, Wurundjeri, Gunaikurnai and Bunurong peoples. We pay our respect to their Ancestors, who cared for Country since time began, and to all Traditional Owners who continue to speak and care for their Country.