The threat that salinity could render large areas of the Goulburn Valley a barren landscape was a wake-up call for all community leaders in the 1980s.
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Farmers saw the watertable maps showing an alarming rise in water levels and environmentalists were alarmed at the potential damage to ecosystems.
The issue could easily have devolved into blaming, territorial arguments and endless complaints, but the region fought back with a grassroots-driven response supported by inter-agency co-operation, which is not always seen.
Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority sustainable irrigation manager Carl Walters recalls that while everyone talks about “partnerships” in meeting environmental threats, it isn’t always evident.
The development of the Shepparton Irrigation Region Land and Water Management Plan has reached its 30th anniversary, and Mr Walters said one of the most important achievements for the plan was the completion of the Muckatah surface water management scheme to address waterlogging, poor stream quality and decaying creek structures.
The 60,000-hectare catchment scheme first attracted 187 objections and required a massive mediation process.
“We eventually came to agreement with everyone, but it required listening and we had to adapt the plan and make changes,” Mr Walters said.
“We had to make changes but still try to achieve what we were attempting to do.”
Mr Walters said an important lesson from this project was the community support and buy-in for the scheme.
Shepparton Irrigation Region People and Planning Integration Committee chair Kelvin Bruce also noted the co-operative nature of the achievements.
“While meeting broader needs, government investment in action has been made locally relevant,” Mr Bruce said.
“We have done this by connecting scientists, farmers, bureaucrats, indigenous groups, politicians and other land managers at all scales.
“Community members and government agency partnerships have been built on trust and an understanding of how to be good partners, often forged in trying circumstances.”
For more about the plan’s anniversary, see page 7 of Country News.