Wednesday, 27 November 2024

 Harriet SHING (Eastern Victoria – Minister for Housing, Minister for Water, Minister for Equality) (09:37):(By leave) I wish to speak very briefly to the tabling of the third annual report on the implementation of Burndap Birrarung Burndap Umarkoo, the Yarra strategic plan. I want to acknowledge the members and staff of the Birrarung Council who have joined us today in the gallery to see the report tabled, particularly Wurundjeri elders Uncle Dave Wandin, Uncle Andrew Gardiner and Bunurong elder Uncle Shane Clarke. I want to acknowledge the tireless advocate, also for her work, Aunty Di Kerr, who is unable to be here today. Thank you to the Birrarung Council for your ongoing critically important work as the voice of the Birrarung. The health of the river and its land is stronger every day, and that is testament to the work you do advocating for the river and holding public entities to account. I wish to acknowledge the hard work of all public entities contributing to Burndap Birrarung Burndap Umarkoo, including Melbourne Water as the lead agency and Jane Doolan, who chairs the Yarra collaborative committee. I have reiterated to these agencies that while we should celebrate what has been achieved, there is much more work to be done. I look forward to another year of strong partnership and collaboration with the council and all entities as we work together to see a stronger, healthier Birrarung and see the river and its lands returned to rich history and culture and biodiversity.

Georgie Crozier: On a point of order, President, I just want to make the point that the minister literally asked me 30 seconds before she stood and delivered that. In the future, the opposition will not be providing leave if those sorts of things are going to continue.

 David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (09:38):(By leave) I will just briefly say that one of the greatest problems for the river’s health and the future of our environment is to ensure that we do not have unsophisticated, high-density development that is crushing the community but also causing the loss of tree canopy and the impact of run-off onto our rivers. I also say that there needs to be proper protections in place to stop this government destroying our city.