Environmental Issue

By 2040, temperatures across the Greater Melbourne Metropolitan Region are expected to rise by an average of 1.3°C under a medium climate change scenario. The risk of fire in forests and grasslands will remain high under these conditions posing a serious threat to the Catchment’s communities, infrastructures, and high-value native forests including water supply catchments and ecosystems.

Historical WQI Scores

Source: EPA Victoria, 2021

Strategic Biodiversity Values

Source: Department of Environment, Land , Water and Planning, 2022

The State Government published its latest Index of Stream Conditions for the Yarra. Five aspects of river condition – hydrology, streamside zone, physical form, water quality, and aquatic life – are combined to give an overall measure of environmental condition. The results show that only a small proportion of the Yarra and its tributaries (12% of their length) is in good or better condition and over half (57%) is in poor or worse condition.

River Health

Source: Yarra Riverkeeper Association, 2013

Ecological Vegetation

Source: Department of Environment, Land , Water and Planning, 2022 year 1750 year 2005

Wetlands (brackish/estuarine)

Riverine Grassy Woodlands/Forests

Riparian Forests or Woodlands

Herb-rich Woodlands (Alluvial terraces/creek lines)

Plains Grasslands and Chenopod Shrublands (Clay soils)

Lower Slopes

Box Ironbark Forests or Dry/Lower Fertility Woodlands

Plains Wood or Grasslands

Salt-tolerant/Succulent Shrub lands

Water quality is good in the forested areas of the upper Yarra catchment, but declined to very poor in highly urbanised areas. These results follow a clear pattern throughout the Port Phillip Bay catchments reflecting the impacts of land use on water quality

Ecological vegetation is rapidly declining due to urbanization and pollution. However, the Yarra River is still home to a large amount of wildlife and conserves many species. The graphic shows the value of biodiversity and the shape of the Yarra River can be identified.