By Dongyun Kwon
Yarra Ranges Council (YRC) endorsed the entering a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Birrarung Valley Walk Inc to support the Birrarung Valley Walk project at the council meeting on Tuesday 9 July.
The Birrarung Valley Walk Inc is seeking to link existing walking tracks and paths from the mouth of the Birrarung (Yarra River) to the Upper Yarra Reservoir to protect, enhance and promote the natural environment and First Nations culture of the Birrarung Valley.
YRC has completed or is progressing a number of projects along the Birrarung which contribute to the Yarra Strategic Plan released in 2022.
Lyster Ward councillor Johanna Skelton said the Birrarung Valley Walk project is a lovely project for YRC.
“The Birrarung Valley Walk is not a council project and nor are we expected to contribute money to it,” she said.
“We are a council that has the large majority of the Yarra River in our municipality, we take in all the beautiful clean parts of it and have such a duty to protect, enhance and support it, and support people’s connection to it.
“This proposal has already got the support of a Traditional Owner group [Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation] and a bunch of other councils and government entities like Melbourne Water as the lead group.”
No financial commitment is required to enter the MoU.
Birrarung Valley Walk Inc will use the signed MoUs to seek philanthropic support for the project.
