It follows concern that not enough time was being made available for feedback.
The plan was released last month and was commissioned after four regional councils received a $560,000 allocation from the government’s Future Drought Fund.
The 60+ page colour document has five key themes, each with priority outcomes.
They are: Water and Agriculture, Community Wellbeing, Resilient Businesses and Economies; Infrastructure and Technology; and Governance, Knowledge Sharing and Skills Development.
The priorities listed under each theme are:
• Water – Sustainable and improved functioning of agricultural landscapes, and building partnerships and engagement between stakeholders managing natural resources.
• Agriculture – Improved access to new and existing knowledge and technology to enable more effective responses to risks such as drought. Increase primary producers’ knowledge of new and existing NRM practices.
• Community wellbeing – Stronger connectedness and greater social capital within communities. Increased number and participation in local networks and programs to enhance drought resilience.
• Resilient businesses and economies – Strong local voice in future vision for the region. Develop a Regional Economic Diversification Strategy.
• Infrastructure and technology – Adapt and repurpose infrastructure to meet community needs, with improved access to and greater utilisation of community infrastructure.
• Governance, knowledge sharing and skills development – Communities better understand their resilience to drought, implement transformative activities that improve this resilience, and build local leadership, networks and social support.
Concern has been expressed that the plan does not do enough to oppose water buybacks, which are considered the biggest drought resilience issue in the region.
Information on how to comment on the document can be found on the Edward River Council website.
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