Input sought to develop strategy

Community members are being urged to have their say on the future of land, water and biodiversity in West Gippsland.

The West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority is currently seeking input into an online survey that will help shape the next regional catchment strategy.

WGCMA chief executive officer Martin Fuller said the survey was an opportunity for community members to have their say and identify what they would like considered in future planning.

“It is a great privilege to coordinate the development of the RCS on behalf of the region.

“The final product will bring together information on traditional owner aspirations, community priorities as well as the best available science and knowledge so that government bodies can work off the same road map for the next six years,” Mr Fuller said.

The strategy is being reviewed and redesigned for the fourth time after earlier versions of the plan were developed and acted on, beginning in 1997.

The strategy covers eight local areas including:

Latrobe – from Warragul to Rosedale; Strzelecki - which includes Hallston, Mirboo North and Balook;

Victorian Alps - which includes Noojee, Walhalla, Erica and Licola;

Wilson’s Promontory;

Bunurong Coastal - focussed around Wonthaggi, Inverloch and extends inland to Korumburra and Leongatha;

Corner Inlet and Nooramunga - which includes townships such as Foster, Port Welshpool and Yarram;

Gippsland Lakes and Hinterland - taking in Sale, Maffra, Seaspray and Loch Sport; and,

Gippsland Coastal Plains, including Woodside, Giffard West and Gormandale.

“We know that asking for input from the community adds enormously to the bank of knowledge we have both about the region and what needs to be addressed over coming years,” Mr Fuller said.

Next year, the WGCMA will hold discussions with agency partners and the community to hear their thoughts – whether that’s about weed management, climate change, land management or the state of our waterways, Mr Fuller said.