Project Update - August 2009

Stakeholder forums have been held in Leongatha, Traralgon, Orbost and Bairnsdale. They were presented by the Department of Sustainability and Environment’s Executive Director of Entitlements and Strategies, Campbell Fitzpatrick, and chaired by Mr Vale.

Mr Fitzpatrick said approximately 140 people attended the forums to hear how climate change, future drought, land use changes and other pressures may impact on water availability, and discuss options for the future.

Further meetings have been held throughout the region, including with local water corporation boards, catchment management authority boards, local government representatives and farmers.

Mr Fitzpatrick said the 50 year strategy to secure Gippsland’s water supplies was a challenge to ensure no-one was disadvantaged in a future which may include reduced water availability.

"Climate change, future drought and changed land use all have the ability to impact on our long term water supplies," he said.

"Particularly, if we continue to experience the conditions of the past 12 years, this would represent a reduction in average inflows across Gippsland of between 30 and 55 per cent when compared to the long term average."

Submissions to the Gippsland Region Sustainable Water Strategy Discussion Paper are due by Friday, September 18.

Following feedback from the community and the consultative committee, a draft strategy will be developed and released for further public consultation.

A second consultation period will follow the release of a draft Strategy in late 2009. The final strategy is expected to be released in early 2010.