Have your say on long-term environmental projects

THE Corangamite Catchment Management Authority is calling on the community to assist with the renewal of the Regional Catchment Strategy (RCS) across nine local areas.

Residents living in Geelong, Bellarine, Surf Coast, Basalt Plains, Northern Uplands, Ballarat, Heytesbury, Western District Lakes, Barwon Plains and Otway Coast will have the chance to engage with key stakeholders while working towards sustainability.

Under the Catchment and Land Protection Act the RCS is due to be renewed with a focus on providing a long-term vision for land, water and biodiversity management throughout the region.

The community is now being invited to have its say on the planning process with up to 18 workshops available to the public.

John Riddiford, CEO of the Corangamite CMA, said the community will play an important role in future environmental plans.

“At the heart of the RCS renewal is the need to encourage the community to participate in the protection, restoration and enhancement of natural resources across the Corangamite region,” he said.

The Catchment Management Authority is leading the renewal in collaboration with agencies, local government, landholders, and the wider community.

“This strategy will be important for developing projects that protect and enhance both regional and community scale environmental assets such as our rivers and creeks, our biodiversity and supporting sustainable agriculture,” Mr Riddiford said.

A priority of the renewed strategy is to be reflective of the public and their desired outcomes, as well demonstrate how communities can work with agencies to deliver integrated catchment management at a local scale.

“People who farm and manage land, live in towns, work, or volunteer all have a role to play in renewing the Corangamite Regional Catchment Strategy for 2021-27,” he said.

Planning workshops will be held from next month through to April across the nine locations.

To register interest in participating in the local planning workshops head to https://ccma.vic.gov.au/what-we-do/regional-catchment-strategy/