The engagement for this project has now concluded.

Overview

The North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) is leading the renewal of the Regional Catchment Strategy (RCS) for 2021-27. The RCS is an important planning document for land, water, and biodiversity management.

Consultation

Due to COVID-19 restrictions in 2020, we held two rounds of community engagement online. During the first round we asked the community to complete an online survey and contribute to an interactive map on this webpage (refer 'Summary of Outcomes from Mar-May Consultation' in Document Library). There were three options to provide input in the second round; via an online workshop, a survey form to comment on discussion papers and an online conversation to identify local priorities. Thank you to those who contributed, your feedback informed the draft RCS.

The draft RCS was open for comment from 10 March to 20 April. Building on previous conversations with the community, we held seven drop-in sessions across the region, and one online, so the community could review and discuss the draft with the North Central Catchment Management Authority team.

Thank you to those who provided feedback on the draft. This will help to shape the final RCS, which is due for submission to the Minister by 30 June 2021.

Background to the development of the RCS

Discussion papers for each of the; Water, Biodiversity, Land and Community themes were developed to inform the draft RCS. An overview of the discussion papers is available in the document library. If you want more detail, the full discussion papers are available on on the CMA's website http://www.nccma.vic.gov.au/regional-catchment-strategy

Previous consultation

What are the priorities for action in your local area?

The purpose of the RCS Local Areas is to identify areas that have similar threats in relation to land, water and biodiversity, and/or challenges for rural landholders and their communities.

In the RCS we will outline a vision and a set of priority directions for each Local Area, which respond to these threats and challenges. Based on feedback received through our previous online survey and a closer review of relevant data - we have revised our RCS Local Areas as shown on the map below. Using the survey responses, we have drafted a vision for each Local Area.

Read about how each Local Area was defined and its draft vision, by clicking the hot spots on the map.

This is a map of the revised RCS Local Areas. There are seven areas in total. The Irrigated Riverine area runs along the Murray River and is defined by the boundary of the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District within the region. The Western Dryland Plains r

Online conversation

This conversation is now closed - thank you for your contributions.
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Privacy Collection Statement

The North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) and Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) are committed to protecting personal information provided by you in accordance with the principles of the Victorian privacy laws.

The information you provide will be used to inform the development of Regional Catchment Strategy 2021-2027 and regional Biodiversity Response Planning (BRP). Your contact details will be used to keep you informed of the process including further opportunities for input.

You may access the information you have provided by contacting Nina Cunningham, Project Manager at the North Central CMA via 5440 1853 or nina.cunningham@nccma.vic.gov.au

Overview

People who farm and manage land, live in towns, work, volunteer or go to school all have a role to play in renewing the Regional Catchment Strategy (RCS) for 2021-27.

The North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) is leading the renewal of the RCS, a strategy for the North Central CMA region (map below). The strategy is an important planning document that reflects the values and aspirations of the regional community.

The RCS defines a long-term vision and outcomes for land, water, and biodiversity management. It identifies priority places to direct investment. Renewal of the RCS is a great opportunity to review and reset for 2021-27, considering current challenges and opportunities.

The new RCS will have an increased emphasis on aligning with the aspirations of the region's Traditional Owners and responding to climate change.

We are working with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning so that biodiversity related outcomes from this consultation will also inform their regional Biodiversity Response Planning.

Have your say

Earlier this year, we asked you to complete an online survey and pin places on our interactive map. We had a great response with 79 surveys completed and 57 pins on the map. A big thank you to all who completed a survey or pinned the map. A summary of feedback collected through the survey and map is now available for review - refer document library on the right-hand side of this page. This feedback has informed; updates to the RCS local areas, a review of RCS priority places and the development of RCS discussion papers, which will be the subject of the next round of remote community engagement – coming soon, stay tuned!

Winners!

Of the places pinned on our interactive map, 32 of them highlighted a favourite place. Those who also posted a photo, went into the running to win a $100 voucher to a local business. From a range of beautiful images across the region, these four winners were selected:

Tanya Smith, Gunbower Creek, Leitchville - Wildlife, fish, turtles, and countryside. Peaceful and relaxing place to be. My island home.


Danielle Donnelly, English’s Road, Goornong - Great place for the family to fish, swim, kayak


Kristie Smith, Leanganook Track, Sedgwick -This is a beautiful place to take the kids. Aside from the excellent walking track, there is a wonderful area of rock slab where a diverse array of fauna can be found. The kids love uncovering skinks, scorpions centipedes and spiders in this area. During the wetter months there is also a shallow stream that runs down beside the rocks. Autumn provides a diverse range of fungi and winter/spring many orchids can be found around the area.

Ann Durie, Avoca River, Glenloth

Local Areas

The 2021-27 North Central RCS will define Local Areas that reflect the region’s unique communities. Our current thinking is shown on the map below - four areas based on dominant land use and demographics. We want to know if these boundaries make sense to the people who live and work in the region. We also want to better understand; the key issues, challenges and priorities for the communities in each area.

Hover over the icons on the RCS Local Area Map below to view information about each Local Area. Feedback about these Local Areas and other aspects of the RCS, has been captured in the online survey below, which is now closed. There will be further opportunities to comment in the next stage of consultation.

This is a map of the Regional Catchment Strategy local areas that show Irrigated riverine at the north, Midlands in the centre, Dryland plains in the north west and southern uplands in the south

Survey

This survey is designed to gather local knowledge and better understand the values and priorities of our regional community. Outcomes will inform our review of priority places
In which Local Area do you live? Required
Regarding the Local Areas shown on the map above
Strongly agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly disagree
The boundary of my Local Area makes sense
The description of my Local Area is accurate
What are the key challenges for rural landholders and community-based NRM groups in your Local Area? (pick your top five)

Managing our precious natural resources requires government, rural landholders and communtiy volunteers to work together.

What is needed to support landholders and the community to play their part into the future?
How would you rate the overall health of the following natural resources in your Local Area?
Very good
Good
Moderate
Poor
Very poor
Waterways
Wetlands
Soils
Biodiversity (native flora and fauna)
Over the past 10 years how would you rate the overall health of these natural resources:
Improved
Stayed the same
Declined
Waterways
Wetlands
Soils
Biodiversity (native flora and fauna)
What are the top three threats to waterways, wetlands, soils and biodiversity (native flora and fauna) in your Local Area?

e.g. River healthy and full of native fish. Healthy productive soil on my farm

About you

We use answers to the following questions to better understand our audience.

Are you responding to this survey as:
Tick one description that best describes where you spend most of your time and effort:

If you own or lease a farm/conservation property, please answer the next three questions.

Please tick the descriptions that best describe the property’s main land use:

Specify acres or hectares

Are you an absentee landholder?

We will only use your email to keep you informed of RCS devleopment progress - to report back on consultation outcomes, let you know when the draft RCS is ready for comment etc.

The survey form is now closed. Thanks for your contributions.

Privacy Collection Notice

The North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) and Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) are committed to protecting personal information provided by you in accordance with the principles of the Victorian privacy laws.

The information you provide will be used to inform the development of Regional Catchment Strategy 2021-27 and regional Biodiversity Response Planning. Your contact details will be used to keep you informed of the process including further opportunities for input.

You may access the information you have provided by contacting Nina Cunningham, Project Manager at the North Central CMA via 5440 1853 or nina.cunningham@nccma.vic.gov.au