Are you interested in your local environment? Would you like to have a say in identifying key environmental features in your area? The North Central Catchment Management Authority is seeking your views on the region’s most valued environmental assets to help prioritise future environmental funding and works.

“The North Central CMA is working with the local community and other stakeholders to renew the six-year Regional Catchment Strategy,” said North Central CMA Chairman, Geoff Williams. “The first part of this process is to find out what people value in their local environment, and why these places and things are important.”

A series of community meetings will be held from September–November to work with the regional community to identify local environmental values.

“These community meetings are part of a new process, and we will start with a blank sheet,” said Mr Williams. “The environmental features identified through the meetings will become part of a regional list used by North Central CMA and others to build projects and seek funding. There are limited dollars available to protect and improve our environment, so we need to think about how we can get the best results with the funding available.

“Based on our priority environmental assets, projects in some areas will be funded in the near future; others may not receive immediate funding. However, by including them on a list that has community ownership, we can leverage various funding opportunities over the coming years,” concluded Mr Williams.

The following nine meetings will be held throughout the North Central CMA region from September–November 2009.

Kerang Memorial Hall:  21 September, 6pm–8.30pm)

(An information session about Second Generation Community Landcare Grants will be held in Kerang from 5–6pm at the same venue that day.)

Raywood – 23 September, 6pm–8.30pm

St Arnaud – 29 September, 6pm–8.30pm

(An information session about Second Generation Community Landcare Grants will be held in St Arnaud from 5pm–6pm at the same venue that day)

Echuca – 12 October, 6pm–8.30pm

Heathcote – 19 October, 6pm–8.30pm

Maryborough – 21 October, 6pm–8.30pm

Daylesford – 26 October, 6pm–8.30pm

Charlton – 4 November, 6pm–8.30pm

Bendigo – 11 November, 6pm–8.30pm

A light dinner will be provided at each meeting. To attend any of these meetings (including the Second Generation Community Landcare Grants sessions) please RSVP to the North Central CMA one week before the meeting that you plan to attend: email: info@nccma.vic.gov.au or telephone: 5448 7124.

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