wc_changing_course_yarra

Changing the course of the Yarra  Over time the Yarra has changed in many different ways. Before settlement by the Europeans the Yarra's water was clear and drinkable. It used to be a source of fishing and bathing as well. Over time, the river has become more and more brown. The reasons for this are the fresh water mixing with the sea water, the building around the river and the changing of its course.
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The river's course has been changed a number of times for different reasons. Mainly to make it easier for ships to navigate through the Yarra. The fist major change to the Yarra was in 1880. The idea was that the engineer in charge, Sir John Coode, was to cut the bend which created an island in the process. It was then named Coode island.

Traditional port areas were cut off, because of low profile bridges being built, in the early 20th century. The sight of tall masted vessels along side the city centre became very rare.

During the 1990s the docklands became a construction site. It was part of Victoria's plan to clean up the docklands area and make it a more popular tourist destination and a cleaner part of the city.



"The Yarra Turning Basin (also known as pool or swinging basin) Once favoured by the Kulin Nation for interclan gatherings, this area, after European settlement,became a focus for new gatherings.

As Melbourne's main, original, port, it was the heart of the citys's comercial and human activity and was one of the first places where people set off for new land.' Written from the plaque, Queens warf on The Yarra River Melbourne (near the melbourne aquarium)