Victorian Waterway Management Strategy: Independent review
RMCG conducted an independent review of the Victorian Waterway Management Strategy to identify the key strengths, limitations and lessons learnt from the strategy during its eight years of implementation.
The Victorian Waterway Management Strategy provided a detailed statewide policy framework for managing Victoria’s waterways from 2013 to 2021. The strategy aimed to maintain or improve the condition of Victoria’s waterways so they can support environmental, social, cultural and economic values that are important to communities.
While the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) led the implementation of the strategy, regional implementation was led by waterway managers from the nine Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs) in regional Victoria and Melbourne Water in the Port Phillip and Westernport region.
Strategy review
In 2021, RMCG completed an independent review of the strategy for DELWP as a key activity in the evaluation and reporting stage of the strategy’s adaptive management approach.
The main purposes of the review were to:
- Provide a high-level evaluation of the strategy, including what went well, the appropriateness of the strategy, and any challenges with implementation
- Appraise the success, strengths and weaknesses of the strategy as a policy framework for the management of waterways
- Identify key areas for improvement for the next strategy based on the learnings from the current strategy.
RMCG’s review framework focused on three key components including design (development), delivery (implementation) and impact (success and lessons) including progress towards the strategy’s vision and objectives.
During the review process, 58 stakeholders were interviewed, 47 participants completed an online survey, two workshops were held with DELWP policy and program leads, and one workshop was held with waterway managers.
A panel of four industry experts also worked alongside RMCG to provide independent advice and expertise to the review of the strategy.
The independent review has since helped DELWP understand the key strengths, limitations and lessons learnt from the Victorian Waterway Management Strategy.
Click here to read the review’s key findings and recommendations. You can also find out more about the independent review process here.
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