HERRING ISLAND PARK HOME PAGE

WELCOME TO HERRING ISLAND PARK

the island from Como landing with Melbourne in the background
HERRING ISLAND
- located in the Yarra River, 4 kilometers upstream from the Melbourne central business district.

About Herring Island

Herring Island is an important environmental and recreational asset in Melbourne's inner suburbs, and forms an important focus for the linear parkland proposed for the lower reaches of the Yarra River.

The Island contains indigenous vegetation, and provides important habitat for native fauna, particularly birds. Such areas are rare in the inner suburbs, and are a valuable ecological resource. Herring Island is also an important recreational resource which provides opportunities for nature study, passive recreation and adventure play.

Herring Island is little known to the people of Melbourne despite its prominent position in the Yarra River. For years, the Island had been used as a depository for silt dredged from the Yarra River and has experienced periods of neglect. This has left a legacy of land degradation, particularly soil salting, tree dieback, and weed invasion.

The Friends group is working with Parks Victoria to restore the Island. There is a unique opportunity to become involved in this project, as volunteers and new members are welcome.

WATCH OUR YOUTUBE VIDEOS FROM
1993, 1996, 2000

HERRING ISLAND 1993

- This video documents Herring Island in its early stages, from the floods of 1934, the making of the Island, its use as a silt dump and scout camp. "Friends" talk about the salinity and revegetation problems and look forward to its rehabilitation.

HERRING ISLAND 1996

- Showing Herring Island in the early stages of its rehabilitation, the provision of picnic facilities, water, and electricity to the Island. Interviews Melbourne Parks & Waterways staff and volunteers involved in the "Earth Day" planting in June 1996.

HERRING ISLAND 2000

- Filmed by the Middle Park CAE, this video shows the results of the early plantings on Herring Island, some of the Sculptures erected between 1997 and 2000. It shows pictures of Indigenous people in 'early' Melbourne and paintings by indigenous artist William Barak. Interviews Parks Victoria ranger, Ray Bloore, "Friends of Herring Island" Damian Curtain and Eve Lawson, and takes you on a boat trip around the Island.

Herring Island History

Pre-European History
- Volcanoes north and west of Melbourne formed the path of the Yarra River. The lower Yarra was in the lands of the Wurundjeri people.

1870 - 80
Quarry formed and stone used for local Richmond roads. Quarry now the Burnley Boat Harbour

1928
August 1928 ... Excavation almost complete and bluestone lining of banks in progress.

August 1928 ... Excavation almost complete and bluestone lining of banks in progress.

River channel cut through Richmond quarry...

opening the channel - looking south to the island
.....to form an island.

1933
airspy 1933
This was taken by Airspy in 1933.

1934
the November 1934 flood
Yarra River flood level reached the height of the current freeway deck.

1930 - 76
building the levee banks. Looking south to Alexandra Avenue and Como Park.
Levee banks formed and silt dumped over 'Como Island'

1950 - 60
Scouts occupy the island. In 1952, the island is renamed "Herring Island" after Sir Edmund Herring.

1970
Scouts leave Island.

1985
Herring Island Committee of Management - Management Plan developed over 5 years.

1993
Committee recommends Melbourne Water to take over.

1994
Herring Island becomes a Public Park.

1995
Herring Island development plan launched by Mark Birrell, the Minister for Conservation & Natural Resources.

1996
Friends commence revegetation and bird-box program.

1997
Herring Island is the site of Melbourne Festival's "Environmental Sculpture" Park.

Aims of Friends of Herring Island Inc.

To restore indigenous Yarra Valley vegetation and wildlife.
To enable members of the community to participate in the restoration of the island.
To communicate and work with other ecologically minded friends groups for mutual benefit.
To prepare displays and information for use in schools and the education of the wider community.
To manage and maintain such funds as shall be needed to achieve these objectives.
To provide advice to Parks Victoria and the government of the day.

VISIT HERRING ISLAND SOON!

or see our videos - "Herring Island Halfway" and "Herring Island Update"
available from the libraries of the Cities of Yarra, Stonnington or Melbourne.
Herring Island homepages written in a Text Editor by Stanley Barker
and viewable in almost any browser, new or old!