The Shepparton Irrigation Region Land and Water Management Plan (SIRLWMP) has been renewed and a draft plan is now open for public consultation.
The plan, which has been in place for over 30 years, is overseen by the Shepparton Irrigation Region People and Planning Integration Committee (SIRPPIC).
SIRPPIC community member Kevin L’Huillier said the plan’s goal was to build upon existing work and address unfinished tasks.
“The irrigated landscape in this region continues to evolve so it’s crucial to stay ahead of challenges and seek opportunities for adaptation and improvement, “ Mr L’Huillier said.
“As we head towards 2050 we expect more change, both with biodiversity and climate, and we hope this plan shows that our region is holding up its end.”
He said a lot of work had gone into the draft and hoped it meant that in 2050 the region could look back and say ‘we did a good job’.
“The resilience of the community will be critical in the coming years. Issues including the farming systems, health of the system as a whole and then climate change will certainly impact our region and this plan is helping to allow us to continue to respond.”
Fellow SIRPPIC member John Laing said the plan was underpinned by the region’s need to produce more with less water while still maintaining its status as a vital Australian foodbowl.
“This document is designed to guide the region’s thinking and government’s decision-making,” Mr Laing said.
“We need to get our efforts aligned so that we’re in a good position to maintain our agricultural productivity and improve our ecological health.”
Carl Walters from the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority, which produced the SIRLWMP, said the plan sought input from across the region.
“It is now out for public comment and I look forward to the feedback before we finalise the plan for the next 30 years to ensure we continue to thrive collectively in the Shepparton Irrigation Region.”
To make comments about the SIRLWMP 2050, go to the Engage Victoria website https://engage.vic.gov.au/sirlwmp.
Effective drainage is a crucial element of a thriving Shepparton Irrigation Region.