Have your say in renewed land and water plan

The Shepparton Irrigation Region Land and Water Management Plan (SIRLWMP), has been in place for more than three decades and now planning is underway for the next 30 years.

The SIRLWMP was developed in 1990 to inform government investment and direct action across the irrigated landscape of the Goulburn Broken catchment.

To kick off discussions about the plan’s renewal, a workshop involving community members, government agencies and traditional owner groups, is being held in Kyabram later this month.

The Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority’s Carl Walters said the renewed plan would need to continue to focus on the community view on regional needs.

“The renewed plan will have benefit to the broader community at the very top of its priority list,” Mr Walters said.

“We will examine the community’s ability to contribute and respond, especially in a post-Covid environment.”

Mr Walters said climate change and risks or opportunity would be chief among discussions of a renewed plan.

“We can tip-toe around issues and challenges but it will be the function of this plan to find a common path between all the region’s stakeholders.

“Our aim is to create a position of trust that’s based on knowledge and clear information, that way there’s no confusion.”

Mr Walters said the workshop was an opportunity to for the community to influence investment in the region.

“How do we want to see the landscape change? How do we make it easier for people who are coming into the region? What scene do we want to set? It’s a rare opportunity.

This is not a strategy or a document to gather dust on a shelf. It is an influential, collective plan and we want to cast the net wide for fresh ideas and opportunities that we can pursue.”

The workshop is being held at Valley View Golf Club, 1175 Curr Road, Kyabram on Thursday February 23 from 10am.

For details contact vickim@gbcma.vic.gov.au

Allen Canobie and John Dainton opening the Muckatah Catchment Project