Praise turns up for upside down Yarra

By Mara Pattison-Sowden
THE Yarra River has been short-listed for one of the world’s most prestigious environmental awards.
It was selected from a field of more than 50 submissions from 20 countries, and has made the top three for the 2011 International RiverPrize.
The International RiverFoundation, organisers of the competition, works to fund and promote the sustainable restoration and management of river basins, and champions best practice management across the world.
Melbourne Water, which manages the health of the Yarra, will compete against two US entrants, the managers of Charles River in Massachusetts and Mattole River in California.
General Manager of Waterways Chris Chesterfield said securing a place in the final three showed how far the Yarra had come in the past 40 years.
“Being shortlisted in such prestigious company is a fantastic achievement and recognises how much Melbourne has come to treasure this natural icon,” he said.
“The Yarra’s health has improved significantly since the 1970s thanks to stronger environmental laws and the diversion of waste to the sewerage system.”
He said the Yarra, which owes its colour to naturally high clay content, received its share of flak but its health had held up well in the face of significant challenges.
Yarra Ranges’ councillor Tim Heenan said he was pleased with the listing.
“Chris Chesterfield has done more with putting water on our map than any person previous,” he said.
The winner of the 2011 International Riverprize will be announced in September.