Communities throughout north central Victoria are being encouraged to work with the Victorian Government on its development of the 'Land and biodiversity at a time of climate change' Green Paper North Central Catchment Management Authority's Chair Dr Ian MacBean announced today.

The Green Paper aims to promote community discussion on the best ways to respond to the decline of Victoria's land and aquatic ecosystems and the biodiversity that is integral to their functioning and resilience.

"The Green Paper focuses on environmental policy. It identifies a range of possible measures to face these challenges and is an opportunity for the community to have a say in the development of long-term benefits for region".

"Catchment Management Authorities have been in place for ten years and it is timely that we use this opportunity to acknowledge what has been achieved, what is needed and what is now possible. Importantly, the green paper raises questions about institutional arrangements to plan and manage our landscape and the community must have input into this."

"In this time of climate change we're seeing the worst drought on record and the lowest streamflows in our history, so our planning for sustaining our natural environment has never been more important," Dr MacBean said.

The Green Paper complements two other major Government environmental blueprints in recent years: the Environment Sustainability Action Statement 2006 and the plan to secure Victoria's water supplies over the next 50 years, Our Water Our Future.

"Communities in the north central region have a history of positive action in relation to working in partnership with the Government to deliver successful outcomes in managing our region's land and water resources, as well as the fragile ecosystems they support, "said Dr MacBean.

"I strongly encourage people to participate in the Green Paper process so that the policy outcomes will have real relevance for our region".

Copies of the Green Paper are available at North Central CMA's Huntly Office or can be downloaded from www.dse.vic.gov.au.

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