Parks boss addresses businesses

Parks Victoria’s new CEO Bradley Fauteux provided an optimistic outlook for local businesses and the waterways at last month’s Yarra River Business Association (YRBA) luncheon on Friday, July 15.

More than 50 local stakeholders attended the lunch at Crown Metropol Hotel and enjoyed an open and detailed insight into Mr Fauteux’s vision for Melbourne’s waterways.

Mr Fauteux spoke of a more collaborative future with the private sector and expressed an open view towards further activation of the river.

However, as published in the July edition of Southbank Local News, he reiterated that he had not been briefed on establishing an independent authority to govern the lower Yarra and said, therefore, it was not a priority.

“I’m not saying that it’s not a possible outcome but it’s not on the radar at this moment in time,” Mr Fauteux told guests.

The YRBA was represented on the Lower Yarra River Use Future Directions Group (LYRUFDG), which last year recommended a new governance model.

The State Government rejected the governance recommendations but some local stakeholders understood that an interim committee was being established to transition to an independent authority.

It was understood that this committee would consist of three independent business people and many YRBA members were surprised to learn from Mr Fauteux that this would not be the case.

Mr Fauteux informed members that the committee would instead consist of a representative from Parks Victoria, another from the City of Melbourne and only one from the business community.

As part of the State Government’s announcement on the lower Yarra in April, Southgate Wharf received $2 million for the construction of new floating berths.

Parks Victoria’s regional director Chris Hardman, who fielded a number of questions from the floor, informed members that construction would be completed by mid-2017.

The YRBA will host its next networking luncheon in November. For more information visit:

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