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    AUTUMN GLORY: Pelicans gather under a setting sun at Green Lake, south-east of Horsham. Lakes and waterways are providing a haven for wildlife across the region. Picture: KELLY LAIRD

Seeking input on strategy

Wimmera catchment overseers are  inviting people with an interest in the long-term health of the region’s land, water and environment to review a blueprint for action for the next 20 years.

Wimmera Catchment Management Authority’s draft Wimmera Regional Catchment Strategy 2021-2027 is open for public comment until May 3, 2021.

All 10 CMAs across Victoria are reviewing their regional catchment strategies.

The Wimmera plan considers how to best to use partnerships to create a ‘healthy’ catchment that supports agriculture, tourism and recreation.



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It brings together vision and priorities of First Nations people, local government, Landcare and farming groups and the broader community.

Wimmera CMA chair Peter Hilbig said regional catchment strategies were the cornerstone of an integrated approach to regional planning and action.

“Land, water and biodiversity are all part of connected systems. To successfully achieve environmental, social, economic and cultural outcomes, each CMA is going to their community to ensure individual strategies reflect community values and priorities at the local level,” he said.

“We encourage the Wimmera community to review the draft document and provide us with their views.”

Mr Hilbig said the strategy mapped out values and priorities in the context of state and federal legislation, policies and programs.

He said key themes were water, land, biodiversity and community.

“It’s vital for everyone to work together for the ongoing improvement of our catchment, at both a practical and strategic level, and this document is an important guide for integrated regional projects,” he said.

The strategy aims to improve rural and regional liveability and community wellbeing, address the challenges of climate change and to ensure the Wimmera is at the forefront of innovation.

People can review the draft online at www.wcma.vic.gov.au/rcs2021 or phone 5382 1544 for a copy.

 

The entire April 7, 2021 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!