United direction flows from water workshop

The Limestone Coast Landscape Board and South Eastern Water Conservation and Drainage Board will develop a joint framework to explore opportunities and efficiencies in water resource planning and management in the region.

The boards recently held a joint water workshop at Port MacDonnell to identify common objectives between the organisations, with both recognising ground and surface water as a connected resource. The workshop aligned with the Limestone Coast Landscape Board’s ‘Making Every Drop Count’ strategic direction and underpins the Board’s commitment to water resource planning and management that addresses sustainable water use.

A focus of the commitment is exploration of bold and innovative ways to achieve water security and sustainability in the Limestone Coast in a changing climate. Flinders University Professor of Hydrogeology Peter Cook and University of Adelaide Water Research Centre Director Professor Seth Westra were among the expert panel at the workshop, which included an on-site visit to Pick Swamp.

Reflecting on the innovative approach to water, Limestone Coast Landscape Board Chair Penny Schulz highlighted the new collaborative and strategic approach taken by the Board.

“Partnerships with organisations such as the South Eastern Water Conservation and Drainage Board will assist us in defining a path toward greater understanding of water in our region from all perspectives,” Ms Schulz said.

“We are excited to collaborate with our partners to investigate opportunities to protect and balance the region’s water resources, while supporting Limestone Coast primary production, biodiversity, industry, social and cultural requirements.“

The workshop supported the region’s Drainage and Wetlands Strategy - developed as a collaborative effort between the South Eastern Water Conservation and Drainage Board and the former South East Natural Resources Management Board in 2019. A joint committee comprising of members of the drainage and landscape boards will guide water management at a regional scale and in local catchments in line with the strategy.

The Drainage and Wetland Strategy can be found on the Limestone Coast Landscape Board website www.landscape.sa.gov.au/lc.

Pictured. Penny Schulz, Chair of the Limestone Coast Landscape Board with South East Conservation and Drainage Board Presiding Member, Brett McLaren.