Findings support water projects
Research into the impact of recreational and environmental water has provided backing to consistent community calls to further develop the potential of lakes and waterways across the region.
The findings are set to provide governments, agencies, clubs, organisations and communities exploring or exploiting opportunities involving lakes and rivers confidence to continue pursuing their projects.
Second-year results of the fouryear Wimmera Southern Mallee Socio-economic Value of Recreational and Environmental Water study have confirmed first-year findings – that recreation and the environment more than qualify for their share of water.
Latest results, which unlike the previous year include data from interviews and assessments during the Christmas holiday period, suggest the value to the community is higher than first thought.
Key findings from the report show that in 2018 more than an estimated 300,000 people visited 25 survey waterways, generating $30.2-million in economic activity.
The first year of the study estimated people using regional waterways for recreation were generating $27.5-million for the regional economy.
The latest figures included more than 208,000 visitor nights and high rates of active and passive participation in regional activities.
Wimmera-southern Mallee residents made up 35.6 percent of people visiting surveyed sites, with 36.7 percent from other Victorian regional areas, 14.6 percent from Melbourne and 8.6 percent from South Australia.
Project push
The findings support major projects such as river precinct development plans for Horsham and a Hindmarsh Discovery Trail on the Wimmera River.
It also strongly backs recreational water allocations via the Wimmeramallee Pipeline for targeted centres across the region.
Wimmera Development Association executive director Ralph Kenyon said latest results confirmed and strengthened an understanding about values of water in the region beyond simple supply.
He said one of the aims of the study was to establish a baseline data set and consistent measurement methods that allowed for longer-term studies to identify seasonal patterns.
“We will continue to use the information to reinforce the need for allocations of water to both recreation and environmental activities,” he said.
“The thing we need to keep in mind is the importance of mental health of the community and health benefits we’ve identified through papers.
“The results of the study reinforce a need to maintain circumstances where people can enjoy water assets in the region.
“It is confirmation that the importance and economic value of our water assets, purely from a recreation and environment perspective, can’t be underestimated.
“It provides invaluable information for decision-makers when assessing priorities for water allocations.”
The Wimmera association is a project partner with Wimmera Catchment Management Authority, Gwmwater and Wimmera and southern Mallee councils in the four-year study.