Protecting And Restoring Our Precious Werribee River
The Werribee River is an important habitat for native flora and fauna and beautiful place for locals to explore nature – that’s why a re-elected Andrews Labor Government will protect and enhance it for future generations.
A re-elected Labor Government will introduce additional planning controls on the Werribee River – so it can be enjoyed for generations to come.
This builds on the Waterways of the West Action Plan, informed by a 50-year community vision, which highlights local aspirations to protect much-loved waterways in the west including new planning controls to protect the waterways from inappropriate development.
We'll also establish a $10 million Green Links fund to support revegetation along our creeks, rivers, and waterways – so local councils and community groups can plant trees, help revegetate our waterways and protect our wildlife.
More than 1,800 species of native plants and 600 species of native animals live in our state’s waterways. From our beloved platypus to countless birds, frogs and insects – our precious biodiversity needs them to survive and thrive.
Labor has made record investments in our biodiversity – making our rivers healthier, protecting precious native habitat and helping secure the future of our waterways – and the Victorian businesses and jobs that rely on them.
This will provide the Werribee River with the same protections as Plenty River, Edgars Creek, Darebin Creek, Gardiners Creek, Jacksons Creek, Koonung Creek, Kororoit Creek, the Maribyrnong River, Cherry Creek, Merri Creek, Moonee Ponds Creek, Steele Creek and Stony Creek. Protecting these creeks for local wildlife, families and communities from any future inappropriate development.
In 2021, Labor made permanent planning changes to protect the Yarra River and its surrounding lands from Richmond to Warrandyte.
Victorians know you can't trust Matthew Guy's Liberals to protect our green spaces.
When Matthew Guy was Planning Minister, he removed planning regulations to build a skyscraper that would have overshadowed our beautiful Yarra River. He also rezoned pristine farmland, trashed height limits, and built towers at the expense of open space – all to line the pockets of greedy developers and Liberal Party donors.
Only Labor will protect the lifeblood and lungs of our city that are our waterways and trees, because only Labor will do what matters.
Quotes attributable to Minister for the Environment and Climate Action Lily D’Ambrosio
“Only Labor will protect our rivers and creeks so they can be enjoyed by families across Victoria for generations to come – because only Labor will keep doing what matters.”
“We’re protecting our waterways – including the Werribee River – and the unique plants and animals that depend on them as part of our record investment in protecting the environment – more than any other government in Victoria’s history.”
“You can’t trust Matthew Guy’s Liberals – he personally approved a skyscraper to shadow the Yarra, rezoned green spaces and trashed height limits to line the pockets of greedy developers and donors.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Water Harriet Shing
“Water is precious. And investing in our waterways means investing in the wildlife, communities, livelihoods and local economies that rely on them.”
Quotes attributable to Labor Member for Werribee Tim Pallas
“Werribee is a growing suburb and a great place for families to live, work and relax – that’s why we’re making sure the Werribee River is healthy, thriving and has lots of green open space now and into the future.”
“Local community groups do important work to maintain and protect the precious environment along our Werribee River – this funding will ensure they have the tools and resources they need to get the job done.”