THE clock is ticking for South East residents wishing to help shape a new regional drainage and wetlands strategy.
An online survey collecting community feedback for the South East Natural Resources Management Board (NRM) and the South Eastern Water Conservation and Drainage Board will be finalised on Sunday.
The two environmental bodies are working together to develop a regional strategy to better understand the challenges and opportunities provided by the South East’s surface water management system, which consists of thousands of kilometres of public and private drains, floodways, wetlands and water courses.
South East NRM Board presiding member Fiona Rasheed said the boards were currently drafting the strategy and seeking community involvement.
“We know water is essential to life and productivity,” Ms Rasheed said.
“It can also be a challenge in the wrong place at the wrong time.
“Through consultations and surveys, the community has shown it really values our unique wetlands and wants to protect those that are left.
“To support primary production, the community also prioritises managing inundation through the drainage network and wants to see retention of water in the landscape to maximise groundwater recharge in the region.
“We need to consider how to achieve all of these objectives across our landscapes.”
The survey opened earlier this month and has already generated a number of insightful responses from the community.
Visit the Natural Resources South East website to have your say.
