Waterways group to make decision

The Lower Yarra River Use Future Directions Group is expected to make its recommendations on the future governance and management of the waterways this month.

Chairperson of the group Tony Kelly said the group would meet for the final time in mid-June and would then submit its recommendations to Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water Lisa Neville.

The group, which includes representatives from industry and government groups, was formed in October last year.

The group includes independent chairperson Tony Kelly and representatives from Parks Victoria, City of Melbourne, Yarra River Business Association, Melbourne Passenger Boating Association, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure and the Department of Environment and Primary Industries.

Its aims included identifying ways to improve management of strategic and operational issues within the current governance structure and considering the future management of the waterways.

Currently there are at least 15 intersecting Acts governing various parts of the Lower Yarra and Docklands waterway, resulting in bureaucratic paralysis and difficulty introducing reforms that would activate the waterways.