Mildura Riverfront Path - The 3 Chain Reserve

The Murray River in Victoria is unique in the world, being one of the few major rivers where the public can freely and openly access the bank along its entire length. Along the length of Murray River in Victoria, a strip of land approximately 60m (or 3 chains) in width was permanently reserved for public purposes in 1881. The 1989 Land Conservation Council Mallee Area Review classified the majority of this public land as Murray River Reserve, to be managed to protect its natural and scenic values, conserve flora and fauna, protect sites of archaeological, cultural and historical importance, allow flood mitigation, protect stream banks from erosion and provide opportunities for informal recreation.

In the Mildura area the majority of the public purposes reserve along the River Murray is managed by Mildura Rural City Council (MRCC) under Committee of Management.

Committees of Management receive their powers under the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978. These powers enable the Committee to manage and develop reserves, enter leasing and licensing arrangements, and enforce regulations.

Mildura Rural City Council manages the riverfront reserves under a Committee of Management arrangement. The main guiding principle in managing the reserves is that public land is for the use and enjoyment of all. Public use needs to be balanced with protecting and maintaining the natural features and assets of the reserves.

Case Study

Regent Parrot

The Regent Parrot is a medium sized fast flying, slender, long-tailed parrot, reaching 37-42cm in length. Adult males are bright yellow with an olive green back, blue-black wings and tail, and red inner wings. Adult females and juveniles are olive-green with blue-green wings and tail.

Habitat and Ecology

The Regent Parrot is restricted to a single population occurring in the lower Murray-Darling basin region. Within its range, the Regent Parrot occurs in riverine and Mallee woodlands. They nest in River Red Gum forests using the hollows of dead and living trees as nests.

Regent Parrots feed in pairs or small groups, mainly eating a diet consisting of seeds of grasses and herbaceous plants, but also eating fruit, buds and grain. Regent Parrots nest in loose colonies of up to 27 pairs and lay up to six eggs that are incubated for 21 days. Males feed their mate near the nest hollow and females do most of the feeding of the young.

Did you know?

The Regent Parrot requires vegetation corridors, such as that provided by healthy riparian vegetation within the 3 Chain Reserve, for movement between feeding and breeding sites to escape predators.

The regent Parrot is listed as vulnerable under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and has suffered a decline in range and abundance over the last 100 years.

Mildura Riverfront Shared Path

Published with permission of Mildura Rural City Council