The Birrarung Council serves as the voice of Birrarung (Yarra River), representing it as one integrated living entity.
Led by Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong Elders, we work to build meaningful relationships that uphold the long-time ways of knowing, caring for and respecting Birrarung as a living and integrated natural entity.
Advice
We provide strategic advice to government by:
- advising the Minister for Water on the Yarra Strategic Plan
- providing advice in response to requests from the Minister for Water
- initiating advice on matters of importance to Birrarung.
The council’s work is informed by 2 core documents that have resulted from the Yarra River Protection (Wilip-gin Birrarung Muron) Act 2017.
Advocacy
Under the Birrarung Act, the Birrarung Council advocates for the ‘protection and preservation’ of Birrarung.
We make submissions on major projects, initiatives and planning processes that have significant implications for the future of Birrarung and its lands.
The council can make submissions to formal inquiries or on special issues involving the principles and objectives of the Birrarung Act. It can also advocate on matters affecting River well-being or Traditional Owner stewardship.
Submissions prepared by the Birrarung Council are available in the Resources section.
Read more about who we are.
Yarning Circles
The Birrarung Council holds Yarning Circles with each of the responsible public entities yearly. Responsible public entities are the 6 government agencies and 8 local councils defined in section 3 of the Birrarung Act.
Yarning Circles allow each responsible public entity to share with Birrarung Council the challenges they face in implementing Burndap Birrarung burndap umarkoo – The Yarra Strategic Plan. They also help identify opportunities where the council can provide advice and advocate on their behalf to overcome these barriers.
Yarning Circles are outside the norms of non-Aboriginal systems of reportage and are guided by a set of cultural protocols.
These protocols include a circular seating arrangement and the presence of Birrarung at the meeting location. They also involve the use of a talking stick to embed and empower cultural practices and ways of doing business as the ‘voice for the River’.
Yarning Circles inform Birrarung Council’s annual reporting to the Minister for Water.
Page last updated: 19/11/25