Call for input on Barwon catchment

RECOMMENDATIONS will be made to the State government on the care Barwon rivers, with hopes to involve the community.

An online survey is inviting residents in, and users of, the catchment that stretches from Ballarat to Geelong and west to Colac to provide feedback to the Barwon River Ministerial Advisory Committee.

“People who live alongside the Barwon and along all the rivers and creeks that feed it, they are on the frontline of how we keep the Barwon healthy,” said Chair of the MAC, Christine Forster.

The committee has put together a discussion paper called Our living rivers of the Barwon assessing the risks the river faces.

“Business-as-usual will not be sufficient,” Ms Forster said, encouraging people to read the discussion paper.

The document says the Leigh, the Moorabool and the Barwon rivers face pressures like agricultural use, urban growth and water supply.

The hope is resulting initiatives will go into a sustainable water strategy to insure there’s water for environmental needs and to protect stream flows.

The online survey runs into 12am on 3 November at engage.vic.gov.au/protecting-rivers-barwon-barre-warre-yulluk.