Skip to main content

                    Clean waterways

                    Elevated view of the Yarra River with parkland to the left, sporting precinct to the right, and CBD buildings in the background
                    Litter in the Yarra is an ongoing issue with up to three billion pieces of litter (approximately 2000 to 3000 tonnes) washed into Melbourne’s waterways through stormwater drains every year.

                    ​​Responsibility of keeping Melbourne’s waterways clean is shared with several organisations including Melbourne Water, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, Environmental Protection Authority, Parks Victoria, marina lease holders and various others.

                    Find out more about:

                    ​​
                      A flow chart detailing how City of Melbourne and other organisaitions do their part to clean our rivers and bays. Expand for more details.
                      Yarra River litter infographic. Expand for more.

                      Yarra River litter infographic

                      A flow chart detailing the City of Melbourne's  response to litter in the Yarra River.

                      Summary

                      Litter comes from all over Melbourne and to combat such a large problem, many groups do their part to clean our rivers and bays. Download the document for more information about what is being done.

                      ​Litter traps

                      We’re protecting our waterways from litter through litter traps installed throughout the municipality. These traps, most of which are underground as part of the drain network, are designed and located to prevent litter entering the Yarra River, Moonee Ponds Creek and the Maribyrnong River. For more information see Home, neighbourhood and streets.

                      Parks Victoria has also installed litter traps along the Yarra to prevent litter entering the river from stormwater drains and ending up in Port Phillip Bay.

                      As the management authority for our waterways, Parks Victoria has been managing the floating litter traps on the lower Yarra and Maribyrnong rivers since 1996, managing 18 traps on the Yarra and nine within the city’s boundary. 

                      Locations for new litter traps are chosen based on local knowledge of Parks Victoria’s experienced senior rangers. Traps are installed by attaching the trap to the river bank (e.g., tied to existing infrastructure) and to train wheel anchors on the river bed.

                      In high river flow events the traps are emptied up to two times per week. In times of low water flow they are cleaned as needed.

                      Find out more about Parks Victoria litter traps


                      Water sensitive urban design

                      When rainfall comes into contact with hard surfaces such as roofs,​ roads and footpaths, it becomes contaminated with oil, metals, litter and other pollutants. This is what we call stormwater. Stormwater drains do not have any treatment systems, so pollution is carried directly to our waterways, bays and oceans. 

                      Water sensitive urban design (WSUD) aims to reduce the volume of stormwater and pollution that enters our waterways. Examples of WSUD include raingardens, wetlands and permeable pavement. By including WSUD in streets and parks we can not only reduce litter but other pollution such as nitrogen and phosphorus that can cause algal blooms. 

                      For more information see our Urban Water website.


                      Docklands litter management

                      To manage litter that has made its way on water, contractors have been engaged to clean the waterways. Due to the configuration of the harbour and changing currents, flow dependent litter traps are not as effective. 

                      New technologies such as Seabins have been implemented within marinas where debris and litter can become trapped after heavy rains.

                      The data collected about the litter we remove downstream is submitted to Tangaroa Blue to inform upstream strategies for litter reduction.


                      Yarra River water quality

                      Bacterial water quality is sampled weekly by Melbourne Water at four sites in the Yarra River. 

                      For more information about water quality see Melbourne Water.


                      Aquatic pests

                      Aquatic pests can be found in both our marine and freshwater systems including Port Phillip Bay and the Yarra River. 

                      Pests include fish and other animals or aquatic plants that have set up residence in locations they would not normally be found. Their introduction can be a result of species extending their range due to global warming, intentional releases, aquaculture escapes or unintentional actions. 

                      It is estimated that a third of the non-indigenous oceanic species in Australia have arrived via ships’ ballast water. Other aquatic pests have entered Port Phillip Bay on the hulls of ships, anchor chains, fishing gear or recreational equipment.

                      All boat owners and users have an important role in stopping these pests. You can protect Port Phillip Bay catchment by keeping your boat and equipment clean.


                      How to get involved

                      Help to keep our waterways clean by getting involved in river clean-ups with community organisation the Yarra Riverkeeper Association, which helps increase awareness and appreciation of the river.​​


                      Reporting issues

                      Please use our online form below to report litter, waste or other cleaning issues relating to waterways.

                      If there is any danger to the public or public space, please call us immediately on 03 9658 9658.
                      Track the progress of an existing reported issue.
                      Enter report reference number:
                      Live chat embed code file
                      Was this page helpful?

                      If you'd like to give more feedback or ask a question, please contact us.