Victoria calls for community nominations to review Basin Plan

The Victorian Minister for Water Peter Walsh is calling for people from Victoria's Basin communities to nominate for membership of Victoria's Basin Plan Advisory Group. Mr Walsh said six positions had been set aside for nominations from the community.

"The advisory group will help ensure Victoria's response to the plan genuinely reflects the interests and concerns of our affected Basin communities," Mr Walsh said.

"Peak bodies across farming, industry, business, tourism, local government, the indigenous community and the environment have been asked to nominate representatives for the group.

"I invite people who live in a Victorian Basin community and are passionate about the outcomes of the plan to nominate for one of the six positions set aside for representatives from the community.

"I particularly encourage women with an interest in community issues to nominate."

Mr Walsh said he was disappointed the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) had failed to make public its process for consultation on the plan.

"The Victorian Government has called on the MDBA to engage with Victoria on a catchment-by-catchment basis," Mr Walsh said.

"The advisory group will help address the failings in the current process to ensure that our communities are consulted and Victoria's voice is heard. It will also help the Victorian Government respond quickly to matters emerging from the next draft of the plan."

The first meeting of Victoria's Basin Plan Advisory Group will be held in Echuca on Thursday 7 July 2011.

People interested in nominating can download a simple expression of interest form from www.dse.vic.gov.au or contact the DSE Customer Service Centre by calling 136 186.

Nominations need to be emailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by close of business on Monday 4 July 2011.

MDBA's consultation on the draft of the Basin Plan will run for 16 weeks and is expected to start late July or early August this year, followed by a public consultation and submission period from August to November. The final plan is expected in March 2012.