Following the outcomes from today’s Ministerial Forum the MDBA is now clear to commence the 20-week formal consultation period on the draft Basin Plan from the 28 November.
Consultations with peak industry and environment groups, and community groups will continue over the coming weeks.
Of particular note was the Ministerial Forum’s request for the Authority, before release of the draft Basin Plan, to strengthen the draft legislative instrument and other mechanisms in the draft Basin Plan to use existing state frameworks and community based networks in the management of Commonwealth environmental water.
“This request was made following the Ministers’ recognition of incorporating localism in environmental watering programs,” said Chair Craig Knowles.
“This work will, of course, be undertaken with Basin states over the next week or so. Increasing the community involvement in the draft Plan just reinforces the central role that localism will play in the implementation of the Basin Plan and the importance of hardwiring it into the draft,” said Chair Craig Knowles.
http://www.mdba.gov.au/media_centre/media_releases/statement-from-the-chair
Statement from the Chair: 'On track for 28 November',
3 Responses to “Statement from the Chair: ‘On track for 28 November’”
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It is hard for people in the affected river communities to get traction to talk and negotiate with the Murray Darling Basin Authority, when many Urban based environmental lobby groups often with the same membership base and fighting multiple causes (MD – Basin just one of) are cluttering the debate ...
... like spam in your email inbox.
Don’t assume it is only the large Sydney-based environmental groups who care about the rivers and ‘agree’ with the plan – it is far more widespread than that. Regional cities, towns, villages and communities have environmental groups and/or people who agree with action to reduce overallocation to assist the ...
... health of rivers and wetlands too.
I would like the Authority to come to Mildura/Wentworth area in the forthcoming consultations and have meetings as the previous chair did with the whole community so we all know what is being said.
Whilst there is a need to also consult with interest groups, the whole community must be ...
... allowed the opportunity to express their concerns and fears as well as their contentment with the proposed Basin Plan. This is going to be law and the MDBA and all levels of government promised consultation at a local level with all who wish to attend and make comment.
To segregate us into little groups and disallowing us to hear what others have to say would NOT be at all open nor fair nor transparent. I prefer it like the last time when the MDBA Chair took comments and questions as they came and encouraged everyone to participate, whether it was pleasant or not for the MDBA or others.
Community consultation is just that, allowing us to air what we need to in a welcoming forum? This was done well last time. I was really happy to be able to make my comments heard and not be cut short or denigrated by the MDBA. I went to 4 meetings and felt that they were fair and transparent and inclusive. Not everyone was happy with the Guide and I would point out that not everyone read it either,but the MDBA chair Mike Taylor was polite and kind to all of us, no matter if we were critical or not.
I ask the same style of meeting (be brave and do not hide in small meetings) where the MDBA faces those people who feel either theynornthue environment will be impacted by whatever the Plan presents.
It is a well known fact that fronting people and making sure they are a part of the process ensures that they are more likely to make it their own. The hook of the Guide is over and now we need and want the Plan so we can make informed comments and suggestions and that everyone hears what we each say!!