PEOPLE interested in the welfare of the Vinifera, Nyah and Burra Creek floodplains are being urged to have their say now that a report on the potential environmental effects of proposed restoration projects has been released for public comment.
Lower Murray Water has proposed a range of works, including new channels, regulators, containment banks, drop structures and spillways, to help water ecologically important floodplain areas totalling 1241ha across the three projects.
Friends of Nyah Vinifera Park chair Jacquie Kelly said the group would thoroughly review the report and draft planning scheme amendment.
“We will be looking over it with a fine-tooth comb and putting in an extensive submission, as we have done for every process like this,” she said.
“Individuals, community groups, all the stakeholders, fishing groups, and everyone who’s participated and been following these things, and having input into them over the last eight years, should be ready to get their submissions in.”
Dr Kelly has been taking part in a lengthy online hearing into Lower Murray Water’s proposed restoration projects for the Hattah Lakes North and Belsar-Yungera floodplains, which were subject to an environmental effects statement.
She said it would be interesting to compare the review processes, since the environment report was not as rigorous as an EES and there would be a round table instead of a hearing.
“We’re keen for them to have a public meeting,” she said.
“We’ve been putting in our thoughts on that, to the minister and to (MP) Peter Walsh, and to anyone we could talk to, because we feel like we haven’t been heard and the local community hasn’t been heard.
“We’ve had to put on our own public meetings, which we have done. Apart from the people who are paid employees, we don’t know many people who think these projects are good.”
The environment report and proposed planning scheme amendment can be viewed at the Robinvale Library, Lower Murray Water office in Swan Hill and the State Library of Victoria, as well as at engage.vic.gov.au
Two hour drop-in sessions will be held at Robinvale and Nyah on February 20 and Swan Hill on February 21, followed by a one-hour online information session on February 22.
The deadline for written submissions is March 10.
The consultation timeline provides for a round table in April that will include Lower Murray Water, traditional custodians, key agencies and people who want to talk about their submissions.
