The North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) recently hosted a visit by Member for Northern Victoria and Parliamentary Secretary for Rural and Regional Development, Ms Kaye Darveniza at their Huntly office.

Ms Darveniza’s visit to Bendigo was an opportunity to announce $5.5 million dollars to improve the health of rivers and irrigation practices in the North Central region and to meet with the Natural Resource Management Committee. The Committee provides a local community perspective to the North Central Catchment Management Authority on its planning, community engagement and works.

Ms Darveniza was introduced to two newly appointed Natural Resource Management Committee members, Ian Whatley and well known local indigenous elder ‘Uncle’ Brien Nelson, who along with Ron Murray, another well known local Indigenous identity, have joined the Committee’s 12 existing members.

North Central CMA Chief Executive Officer, Damian Wells, is pleased with the new appointments. “After seeking expressions of interest from the regional community, the North Central CMA is delighted to have three new community members on its Natural Resource Management Committee. All three have a strong connection to their local community and extensive involvement in natural resource management. Furthermore, I believe that the North Central CMA is the only CMA in Victoria with Indigenous representatives on its community advisory committee.” 

Ian Whatley from Echuca has extensive knowledge on water management issues. Ian is a member on various committees relating to the Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project, the Shepparton irrigation groundwater and salt management working group and was a former member of the Rochester Campaspe Water Services Committee. “Through my involvement on a number of water committees in the Campapse region and my farming experience, I look forward to making a contribution to the committee and being a link between the North Central CMA and my community.”

Ron Murray, a Wamba Wamba descendent, lives on Jaara country at Yapeen.  Ron is well known in the area and has worked as an Aboriginal Advisor to the Victoria Police and a client service officer for the Victoria Aboriginal Legal Service.  Ron has developed a strong relationship with Indigenous and non-Indigenous networks across the state. 

Ron is passionate about the river health, having grown up on a 250,000 acre station on the Murrumbidgee River.  “I have seen the decline of our river systems and the destruction of many of our special trees and places.  I believe it is important to provide an Indigenous perspective on water and land management issues and to have Aboriginal knowledge and voices heard,” said Ron.

Brien Nelson, a respected Jaara Jaara elder lives at Summerfield, near Raywood.  Brien is heavily involved in the management of cultural heritage sites on Jaara Jaara country.  Having worked in natural resource management over many years, including many years with Parks Victoria, Brien brings a huge amount of knowledge and experience to the Committee.

Brien says that, as an elder of the Jaara Jaara community, it is his cultural responsibility to care for country.  “I care about the environment and want to share my knowledge and experience to provide direction to the North Central CMA.”

The announcement of $5.5 million dollars is part of $37 million dollars for Catchment Management Authority regions across the state to improve river health and encourage sustainable irrigation practices.

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