Ideas sought for better Barwon River care

LOCALS who want to secure the future of the Barwon River are invited to share their ideas at a meeting in Barwon Heads next week.

The Victorian Minister for Water and the Minister for Planning have set up a Ministerial Advisory Committee (the MAC) to recommend how government planning and decision making can be improved so the health of the Barwon River and its tributaries is secure for generations to come.

The MAC has been out visiting sites on the Barwon, the Moorabool and the Leigh, and now wants to know what locals think.

What situations need to be handled better, and what needs to be put in place to look after the Barwon better?

MAC chair Christine Forster said people who lived alongside the Barwon, and along all the creeks that feed it – were on the frontline of how the community keeps the Barwon healthy.

“The community has already taken action about water quality in the river,” Ms Forster said.

“Some people know a lot about management of this waterway system.

“Now we want to know about problems right along the Barwon, and we don’t just want the problems.

“We want people to think about what better management would look like.

“That will make our recommendations to the Ministers stronger.”

Meetings will be held at Barwon Heads Bowls Club, 18 Geelong Road, Barwon Heads on June 17 between 7pm and 9pm, and at Barwon Water, 55-67 Ryrie Street, Geelong on June 19 between 7pm and 9pm.

Head along and talk with others who want to secure the future of the Barwon.