Tuesday, 20 June 2023

 Harriet SHING (Eastern Victoria – Minister for Water, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Commonwealth Games Legacy, Minister for Equality) (12:51): Last Friday it was a profound honour to visit one of our most pristine and important waterways, the Yarra River, to talk about the work that has been delivered under the Yarra strategic plan. Burndap Birrarung Burndap Umarkoo is a landmark framework where in 2017 the Yarra was recognised as a living entity, the first time that this had occurred in Victoria. Indeed it is a really significant achievement for any parliament to have finally recognised the unique and enduring connection between water and First Nations culture, identity and country. The Yarra River winds its way through 242 kilometres in Victoria. It is surrounded by about 2450 hectares of extraordinary land. These riparian and waterway environments are of crucial importance not just to our economic and our community health and wellbeing but, absolutely crucially, to our First Nations communities.

I joined with Wurundjeri, Bunurong and land council workers and representatives and elders to talk about the improvements that have been delivered and the way in which we are committed to better waterway engagement and collaboration but also to self-determination, this transfer of power that needs to take place. I was also really thrilled to be able to announce a further $1.65 million in funding for four priority projects, being greening the Birrarung and scaling up vegetation; river parklands as a living entity and connecting cultural landscapes; urban greening in the inner-city reach; and a new online collaboration tool to further support the work of the Yarra Collaboration Committee. Thank you and congratulations to all involved in this extraordinarily important legacy and advocacy.