The North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) is calling on community members in the North Central region to be involved in the development of a plan for managing willows in their local areas.

The development of this plan will enable the North Central CMA, as caretakers of river health, to carefully manage willows across the region. It is recognised that willows threaten the health of certain waterways in the North Central region, and that there are specific willows that hold significant value for community members. There are also certain willow species which are more problematic to river health than others and this plan will aim to detail an approach to managing willows currently in the region's waterways, as well as highlighting management options to control the spread of willows in the future.

Before developing the Plan, we would like to capture community views and thoughts about willows. All interested community members are invited to attend community forums on December 6 and 7, 2007 held in three locations across the region:

Echuca Quality Inn Port of Echuca Thursday December 6, 2007 6:30 - 8:30pm
(light catering provided)

Kyneton Richardson Room, Kyneton Town Hall Friday December 7, 2007 1:00 - 3:00pm
(afternoon tea provided)

Daylesford Daylesford Town Hall Friday December 7, 2007 6:30 - 8:30pm
(light catering provided)

North Central CMA's Riverine officer Bridie Velik-Lord stated "it is hoped that anyone with an interest in willows and their management will attend a community forum and provide valuable information about willows in their local areas, and any values and threats they associate with these willows. The North Central CMA is keen to understand how willows are viewed by local communities, and how they would like to see willows managed into the future".

"At the end of this process, an Action Plan will be produced that not only documents clear priorities and actions for the management of willows in the North Central region, but is a plan that community members throughout the region can relate to, appreciate and support," said Bridie.

Further information can be obtained from Bridie Velik-Lord at the North Central CMA by calling 5440 7124. To register for the forums, please RSVP to North Central CMA reception on 5448 7124 by Monday December 3.

For further information please contact: 

Communications Officer, North Central CMA
PO Box 18, Huntly VIC 3551
t: 03 5448 7124
e: info@nccma.vic.gov.au