It’s just a few kilometres from Melbourne CBD, but a peaceful oasis near Clarke Street in Abbotsford is one of Yarra riverkeeper Andrew Kelly’s favourite spots on the famous waterway.
“It looks beautiful at this time of year when the wattle is out,” he said. “You’ve got this incredible natural space in the middle of a big city. You could be in the bush.”
Yarra riverkeeper Andrew Kelly is stepping down from the role after what he says has been a wonderful seven years.Credit:Justin McManus
COVID-19 restrictions mean Mr Kelly has been out in his boat just twice this year, compared to 90 times in his first full year as riverkeeper in 2015.
It’s frustrating. Mr Kelly doesn’t feel right being desk-bound.
Advocating for the Yarra River’s health to governments and water companies and working with environmental groups on projects and events has been his “best job ever”, but Mr Kelly says it’s intense.
Mr Kelly, 65, would like “to step back and take a breath”. And so, at the end of September, he is finishing up as the Yarra’s riverkeeper.
Yarra Riverkeeper Andrew Kelly with polystyrene waste in February 2020.Credit:Justin McManus
He’s happy that his five staff have an average age of about 30 and can be future “guardians” of the river.
Among his proudest achievements is continuing predecessor Ian Penrose’s push for the Yarra River Protection Act, which was passed by State Parliament in 2017.
It provides a co-ordinated plan to manage the river. The act was co-titled in Woiwurrung and gave traditional owners a permanent voice in river management.
Mr Kelly is also proud of planning controls, made permanent earlier this year, preventing development on the riverbanks between Richmond and Warrandyte.
Among other wins were overseeing in 2017 the removal of more than 40 dumped bicycles from the failed oBikes rental scheme.
He has derived joy from sightings of waterbirds, turtles, goannas, seals, platypuses, water rats and even dolphins.
“It’s extraordinary how they get on with their lives, in the middle of a big city whose residents don’t know they’re there,” he said.
Mr Kelly said that “for an urban river, compared to rivers overseas, the Yarra is in an extraordinarily good state”.
But as climate change bites, he has seen its summer water levels drop dramatically and seen storms become more intense, generating erosion.
He said we all should be aware of temperatures rising and water running out. We could lobby politicians, join environment groups and comment on the state government’s soon to be released draft sustainable water strategy.
Mr Kelly, a former book publisher, is keen to write more books. He is already released a children’s book about early Melbourne and a creative non-fiction book about the Yarra River, the latter with Wurundjeri elder Aunty Joy Murphy.
“It’s extraordinary how they get on with their lives, in the middle of a big city whose residents don’t know they’re there.”
Mr Kelly intends to stay involved with water policy advocacy.
Association chair Warwick Leeson said Mr Kelly had been a superb riverkeeper – committed to the cause, and a great communicator.
“When he’s had people out on the boat with him or made presentations, he gets the message out about the importance of the Yarra River,” Mr Leeson said.
Association board member Ian Wong, will be acting riverkeeper until a new appointment is made.
As Mr Kelly said: “If you want the perfect job, think about applying”.
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