Melbourne Water's area of responsibility for the management of waterways, drainage and floodplains has been extended to include part of Westernport Water's service area.
 
The management of these waterways will be funded through an annual property-based 'Waterways Charge'.  This charge affects property owners only and will be billed each year in July by Westernport Water on behalf of Melbourne Water.

The annual waterways charge is used to manage and improve waterways, drainage and flood protection within the Port Phillip and Westernport Bay catchment.  Some of the works already undertaken by Melbourne Water include removal of non-indigenous trees along riverbanks and revegetating part of the Bass River.