Summary
In 2017, Australia passed the Yarra River Protection Act, which gives the Yarra River status as a living legal entity and includes Wurundjeri people in managing the river. It is the first legislation in Australia to be co-titled in a Traditional Owner language. The Act also establishes the Birrarung Council, which provides advice to the Minister in relation to the Yarra River land and must have two traditional owners. The purpose of the act is to protect the Yarra River, a river in south-central Victoria, Australia, for future generations.
Suggested Citation:
Kauffman, Craig, Catherine Haas, Alex Putzer, Shrishtee Bajpai, Kelsey Leonard, Elizabeth Macpherson, Pamela Martin, Alessandro Pelizzon & Linda Sheehan. Eco Jurisprudence Monitor. V2. 2026. Distributed by the Eco Jurisprudence Monitor. https://ecojurisprudence.org/initiatives/yarra-river-protection-act-2017/.
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