Integrated Water Management Strategy to be considered by Council on 28 April

Thank you to everyone who reviewed and provided feedback on the draft Integrated Water Management (IWM) Strategy during the consultation period from October to December 2025.

The IWM strategy was originally presented to Council for endorsement on Tuesday 24 March 2026, however it decided to defer this matter. The IWM Strategy will now be presented to Council for endorsement at its meeting on Tuesday 28 April 2026.

We received valuable input from across the community and a range of key partners. This included contributions from residents, Council advisory groups and the Flooding and Stormwater Management Community Reference Panel. We also heard from environmental organisations, sporting clubs, Traditional Owners represented by the Wurundjeri Woi‑wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, and agencies such as Yarra Valley Water and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.

This feedback has helped strengthen and improve the IWM Strategy.

Key improvements include:

  • identification of clear targets for each Strategic Direction
  • a strong and transparent approach for selecting and prioritising actions
  • greater recognition of the role community organisations play in protecting waterways
  • a requirement for early community consultation when considering enhancements or expansions to existing stormwater harvesting assets
  • a stronger focus on First Nations ancestral knowledge and cultural values
  • broadened educational programs to support community understanding of IWM, including multilingual resources.

After reviewing the draft Strategy, 79% of respondents reported having a better understanding of IWM.

Some of the positive feedback we received included:

“Council is to be commended on preparing the plan and seeking community input.”

“The Strategy is concise, purposeful and easy to understand.”

“The Strategy provides a solid foundation for sustainable water management.”

You can now view the 28 April Council Meeting agenda, which includes the:

  • Council report
  • IWM Strategy proposed for endorsement
  • Consultation summary and submitters table.
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