Dear River Lover,

The Birrarung Council has been appointed. 

Yesterday, the government announced the appointments to the Council. The council is a new statutory body to provide advice to Government to ensure the ongoing protection of the river and deliver on key priorities under the Water for Victoria plan and the Yarra River Protection Act 2017. The council was created by this act. 

We are pleased that two of our own are a part of the Birrarung Council:  Yarra Riverkeeper Andrew Kelly, and board member Warwick Leeson. 

The board is led by chair Chris Chesterfield and other members are Allan Wandin, Ronald Jones, Margaret Gardiner, Bronwyn South, Prue Digby, Kirsten Bauer, Erin O’Donnell, and Alexandra Lee. 

One of the innovative and important components of the Yarra River Protection (Willip-gin Birrarung murron) Act is that it gives Traditional Owners a permanent voice in the planning and management of the Yarra river. It is also the first act in Victorian history to be co-titled in Woi-wurrung.

Please see the Premier’s media release at https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/new-body-to-protect-and-promote-the-yarra-river/

We wish the council the best in all its efforts.