Planning the Yarra’s Future

Land Use Look at the land use patterns in figure 9.13 and write a short paragraph about how land use changes as you progress down the river (East to West). Look at where the urban/industrial area is located on the Yarra? Is this an advantageous placement (think economic and environmental) for the agriculturalists? Explain.

Sustainability - Agriculture No growth of the amount of land used for agriculture Resistance to urban development of agricultural land No bushland cleared for agriculture Farms will adopt more sustainable practices No farm land to be reduced to “hobby farming” blocks (avoid disuse and degradation

Sustainability - Water Access to clean water important to viability of farms and towns downstream With continued expansion of intensive vineyards and farms Need to protect the access downstream Long term need to set up water licensing (volume allocations) Need to protect water quality downstream Reductions in chemical and fertilizer usage

Who Plans? Individual Level – united stakeholder groups Local Level – Yarra Valley Shire Regional Level – broader united stakeholder groups State Level – Victoria Government National Level – think MDBA