As stated by Russell et al. (2023): “long-term thinking is required to continue the emerging trend away from reactive management to proactive and strategic planning – particularly in how to respond to future natural disasters, and climatic and environmental change.” Geomorphology, or physical form management, must play a central role in this new paradigm of waterway management, particularly given the internationally recognized importance of dynamic and complex waterways (Wohl et al. 2015). In particular, we must work toward understanding fluvial geomorphology to work with rivers (Fryirs and Brierley, 2021). This requires efforts from the industry as whole to weave knowledge into management at a range of levels. This paper outlines a two-year project, for the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), to develop a framework informing integration of physical form and functioning into waterway management guidance. The approach is best elucidated by the development of overarching principles, referred to as the ‘Physical Form Five’.
[insert pic here, seemingly unsupported by the system]
We outline the context for Victorian Waterway Management and the integration of geomorphology, the basis for these principles, and provide examples of how the ‘Physical Form Five’ can be practically applied. The principles provide a considered framework upon which informed decisions for management, over a range of time and spatial scales, can be made and should provide a precursor to all waterway ‘works’ programs. With recognition of the role sustainable physical form and functioning can play in supporting myriad values, the challenge is in obtaining an agreed pathway that ensures support and adoption with multiple stakeholders including managers, practitioners, Traditional Owners and community.
Fryirs, K. and Brierley, G., 2021. How far have management practices come in ‘working with the river’? Earth Surf. Process. Landf. 46, 3004-3010, doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.5279.
Russell, K., Reid, D., Miller, A., Vietz, G., Fryirs, K., Rutherfurd, I., Wood, A., Gregor, S., Slijkerman, J., Pearson, B., Walker, J., and Coker, M., 2023. Evolution of a river management industry reveals meandering pathway to 2030 UN goals. Nature: Communications Earth & Environment, 4, 93 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-023-00748-y
Wohl, E., Lane, S. N. & Wilcox, A. C., 2015. The science and practice of river restoration. Water Resources. Res. 51, 5974-5997, doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/2014WR016874.