UNDERSTANDING water is an important challenge when you live in the Mallee – and something many of us want to do better.
Friends of Nyah Vinifera Forest and Sustainable Living in the Mallee are presenting a free all-day community forum on water, in two weeks’ time.
Understanding Water – Life Blood of the Murray Darling is on Friday, July 23, at Lower Murray Inn, at Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement.
Sustainable Living in the Mallee outgoing chair and current treasurer, Peta Thornton, said water was everyone’s business.
“We are a river community and the Murray River is central in all our lives,” Ms Thornton said.
“It provides our drinking water and feeds into our mental, economic and spiritual wellbeing.
“The wild places and cultural landscapes of our floodplain are unique and diverse, but with continuing pressures of over-extraction and climate change, they cannot be taken for granted.”
Both host organisations have been involved in the development and implementation of the Basin Plan, providing feedback and attending consultations since 2010.
“Our groups are all about opening up the public conversation on the issue,” Ms Thornton said.
“The whole community is a stakeholder in water policy, and we want to enable deeper understanding in the wider community about rivers and water, by offering this free event.
Guest speakers include Richard Beasley SC, a leading Barrister who was Counsel Assisting in the South Australian Murray Darling Basin Royal Commission.
There will be landholder case studies, opportunities for questions, and a light lunch provided.
“Thanks to the Swan Hill Rural City Council for contributing support through their events grants,” Ms Thornton said.
Registration is essential through Try Booking, and check out Sustainable Living in the Mallee’s Facebook event.
