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Luke Friend – Community Engagement Officer at Biodiversity, Conservation and Science at Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) provided the Club with an overview of the NSW Government’s recently launched ‘Reconnecting River Country program’ in southern NSW. Luke’s role in the program is to connect stakeholders with program information and experts, to collect their knowledge of the river and to collect and report their feelings about the program. Reconnecting River Country Program (RRCP) is aimed at delivering water for the environment where and when it is needed is important to improve the health and resilience of basin rivers, wetlands and floodplains. The program realises there are benefits, impacts and risks and is committed to take feedback from communities to make sure they are represented in the design of the program. RRCP comprises projects in the southern-connected basin, including: Hume to Yarrawonga (Murray River), Yarrawonga to Wakool (Murray River) and Murrumbidgee River. Environmentally the Murrumbidgee River supports one of the largest remaining semi-permanent wetland systems and colonial water bird breeding sites in Australia. The RRCP Murrumbidgee project areas are home to 18 native fish species. Relaxed constraints are expected to maintain the extent and support improvements to the condition of river gum forests and woodlands along the Murrumbidgee River. The goal of the RRCP is to achieve a balance of economic, social, cultural and environmental benefits across southern NSW by improving wetland and floodplain connectivity. Changes to flow management are likely to result in benefits and impacts for public and private landholders and communities. DPIE will collaborate with a broad range of stakeholders to ensure issues are identified and a suite of tools developed to mitigate potential effects. This will occur before changes to existing rules, policies or infrastructure are considered. Landholders, land managers and communities will see the benefits of the program through investment in infrastructure and on-farm works, potential for improved agricultural productivity for graziers due to floodplain flows, as well as improved recreational fishing and tourism. Project timeline? ******************************** |
Director’s Roundup
Laurie’s Quote of the Week