Wednesday, 21 March 2018
THE Moree community is being encouraged to take advantage of an opportunity to have input into the NSW Government’s Water Reform Action Plan at public meeting next week in Moree.
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall today urged community members, stakeholders and interested parties to attend the consultant Ison session being held at The Max Centre, from 2 to 5pm, next Tuesday, 27 March.
“Water is vital to the Moree community and our region,” Mr Marshall said. “It’s one of our most important economic and social assets, so hearing from locals is vital when any discussions about this issue are taking place within government.
“The Water Reform Action plan came about because the NSW Government recognised that there were issues regarding transparency around water use and the community consultation stage is critical to resolving these issues in a fair way.
“The morning briefing will give invited stakeholders an in-depth run down on the recently released consultation papers on water measurement and metering, transparency, management of environmental water and floodplain harvesting
“The public ‘drop-in’ style meeting which follows in the afternoon is an opportunity for the community to ask the questions that they want answers to and engage one-on-one with the technical experts.”
The Water Reform Action Plan was released in December last year with one clear aim – securing the water resources of NSW. The management aims of the plan are centred around supporting jobs and growth in regions dependent on water, enabling farmers to achieve water efficiency, securing water supply and improving the health of waterways.
“The community consultation also allows the public and stakeholders to ask questions about the NSW Floodplain Harvesting Policy, which impacts anyone in the Gwydir or Border Rivers valleys,” Mr Marshall said.
“Hundreds of jobs in Moree rely directly on water resources and its management, this really is an issue which touches our entire town so I urge everyone to get along to the public meeting next Tuesday.”
The “drop-in” session runs from 2-5pm at The Max Centre, Level 1, 30 Heber Street, Moree.