Regional Water Allocation Plan with Minister
News article
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19 November 2015
The new draft Water Allocation Plan (WAP) for the Southern Basins and the Musgrave Prescribed Wells Areas, has been endorsed by the Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board and is now being considered by the Minister for Water and the River Murray Ian Hunter.
Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board Presiding Member Diana Laube said this is a significant milestone marking the plan’s final stage of consideration before approval following five years of investigations, policy development and community engagement.
“The Board has to acknowledge the vast amount of work from employees, board members past and present and, above all, from our community,” Ms Laube said.
“Collective efforts have given us a draft Plan that I am confident will be more responsive to sustainably manage our precious resource.
“The Board has carefully considered all of the matters raised to ensure that the draft presented to the Minister adequately considers the science and community input and ultimately the balance between the needs of the environment, the community and economy of Eyre Peninsula.
“The groundwater resources in our prescribed water resources supply a significant amount of water to our communities and industry and are tremendous and unique assets, supporting the economic development and growth of our region as well as a number of important ecosystems.”
Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula regional manager Jonathan Clark said the next priority is to invite key stakeholders to feedback sessions which will be announced following the Minister’s consideration of the plan.
“We are committed to hosting community feedback sessions once the plan has been endorsed to summarise the feedback received, and the rationale behind the amendments made.
“The Board is committed to ensuring the community remains informed regarding the implementation of the new plan and will continue to engage the community in conversation about sustainable water use.
To remain up-to-date on the progress of the WAP please follow us on Twitter @EPNRM or visit: www.landscape.sa.gov.au/ep
