Applications open for Karaaf reference group

INTERESTED community members have been invited to put their names forward to join the Surf Coast Shire’s Karaaf Wetlands Community Reference Group.

The group will work collaboratively with the shiire – which opened expressions of interest last week – and other stakeholders to help develop stormwater solutions to ensure the future health of the Karaaf Wetlands is the best it can be.

Advisory in nature, the group and comprise shire staff and up to 12 community members, who will meet about every eight to 10 weeks, with additional meetings from time to time in line with key milestone deliverables under the program of works.The initial period of membership is two years.

Candidates are required to complete an expression of interest form explaining their skills, knowledge, experience or passion for one or more of the following areas:

Cultural heritage

Climate change

Hydrology/stormwater systems, or

Environment and sustainability.

Surf Coast Shire mayor Liz Pattison said the group was being established following the release of independent assessments late last year, which showed that stormwater from Torquay North was having an adverse impact on the Karaaf Wetlands.

“Our community has been very active in caring for the Karaaf, which we’re really grateful for, so we want locals to be involved in the next steps to improve the environmental health of the culturally and environmentally significant Karaaf Wetlands.

“We’d love to hear from passionate locals with good knowledge of the area, our environment, hydrology and stormwater systems, who are strategic thinkers and good problem solvers.”

Over the long-term, the shire is working on a large-scale review on how the stormwater arrangements, under its jurisdiction, affect the Karaaf Wetlands.

The shire says it is working in collaboration with other agencies and community representatives on this project.

The Karaaf Wetlands are managed by Parks Victoria, and have a catchment that straddles several local government areas, with the shire responsible for the stormwater drainage for parts of the catchment to the north and west of the wetlands.

To find our more and to apply, head to surfcoast.vic.gov.au/Karaaf

Expressions of interest must be submitted by 5pm on February 26.

People can also pick up a hard copy form at the shire’s offices at 1 Merrijig Drive, Torquay.