Water is central to our experience of Banyule, with the Yarra River and the Darebin Creek running along our eastern, southern and western boundaries. The Plenty River and the Banyule, Salt and Karingal Yalloc Creeks flow through Banyule and along with Banyule Flats, which contains the Banyule and Warringal Swamps and Banyule Billabong, provide significant habitat for rare birds, plants and animals and allow opportunities to connect with nature.

Storm and rain water runoff, however, which can carry pollutants such as fuel, oil, garden fertilizers and sediment, can significantly damage these highly valued environments.

How we respond is a key priority!

We currently manage water in Banyule by reducing water use at our local ovals or at aquatic centres, installing litter traps and water sensitive urban design (wetlands, raingardens) to protect valued water ecosystems, implementing strategies to reduce local flooding or building community awareness on the value of water in our community.

Continually improving water management is crucial to improving community resilience in Banyule. It will help us adapt to a changing climate, where we can expect to experience a hotter, drier, climate and more intense storms.

Integrated Water Management

Integrated Water Management is a collaborative approach to planning and managing the water cycle including stormwater, wastewater, surface water, groundwater and waterways to ensure Banyule becomes a water sensitive city by 2050.

This will be achieved through the development and delivery of an Integrated Water Management Plan (IWMP) with an agreed vision, strategic objectives, a 10-year action plan and targets to 2050. The IWMP will ensure that water is available to support a sustainable environment and that we can continue to enjoy all the benefits that water provides.

Get involved

Key Council and Government Plans

This project aligns with key Banyule and State Government Plans, including:

Engagement and development

Engagement stages

Vision and strategic objectives

To deliver the best possible outcomes for our community, the environment, and the economy, we will engage the community, neighbouring local Councils, water corporations, community groups, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action to help us develop a vision and strategic objectives.

Using the feedback from Stage 1 community engagement, we will develop a draft Banyule Integrated Water Management Plan, which will include:

  • The final vision and strategic objectives (ensuring they are SMART goals)
  • A 10 year action plan
  • Targets for 2050
  • Opportunities / sites for water sensitive urban design infrastructure.

During this stage, the Plan will be available to the community for public comment.