Feedback to flow for river management plan

RIVER managers are seeking local input into a masterplan to guide future management of the Barwon River.

Corangamite Catchment Management Authority is managing the project on behalf of a host of state and local authorities, and advocacy groups.

The masterplan is a key pillar of the state government’s Rivers of the Barwon Action Plan, to which it committed $4.3 million last year.

The masterplan project name is Kitjarra-dja-bul Bullarto langi-ut.

Wadawurrung Traditional Owners picked the name, which translates to “place of many stories” in their language.

It divides the region’s river system into three parts: the lower Moorabool to Batesford, the Barwon and Moorabool rivers through Geelong, and a southern zone that includes wetlands through to the Barwon estuary.

Authorities have released a draft community vision for the river corridor: “The Kitjarra-dja-bul Bullarto langi-ut is a well – connected, diverse and healthy waterway landscape, that balances recreation, conservation, respect of place and culture, that also provides for everyday enjoyment of nature, community, liveability and wellbeing.”

The survey will gauge community sentiment on the vision, plus the parts of the river that are most important or most loved and why, opportunities for greater access.

Suggested improvements include improving community access to stretches of the river, maintaining and improving infrastructure, and linking the waterways with tourism and commercial opportunities.

The existing feedback round is open until September 12 at the Engage Victoria website.

Authorities will consider community comments later this year ahead of a draft masterplan to be released early next year for further consultation.

The masterplan is due to be finalised by the end of March 2023.