City and NCCMA to hold joint regional forum

The City of Greater Bendigo and the North Central Catchment Management Authority are joining forces to provide rural residents and key stakeholders with an opportunity to have their say on the development of three important regional draft strategies.

Participants are invited to The Capital Theatre on Tuesday August 25 from 10am to 2pm to contribute to the Greater Bendigo Rural Communities Discussion Paper, the North Central Regional Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Plan, and the North Central Regional Sustainable Agriculture Strategy. 

The forum will also feature guest speaker, Shawn Butters from Kilter Rural, who will share his experience of resilient and productive agriculture and environmental protection in a rural community.

Cr James Williams, who is also a North Central Catchment Management Authority board member, said the joint forum is a great opportunity for collaboration.

“Fifteen per cent of Greater Bendigo’s population live in a rural or regional area, while the NCCMA takes in an area stretching from Woodend to Swan Hill, so it is important the two organisations join together to discuss the big issues facing our farming communities and work together strategically,” Cr Williams said.

“In the past decade the region has experienced drought and flooding rain, so planning ahead is essential to adapt to the long-term impact of climate change.

“Both environmental and industrial sustainability will be key to the future success of the region. The agriculture sector is experiencing rapid change. Locally, there are opportunities for unprecedented growth such as investment in business ventures focused on tourism and boutique farming industries.

“As our rural and regional communities accommodate such developments, they will need access to better technology such as internet and mobile phone coverage, and improved public transport.

“All documents are in draft form and there will be plenty of opportunity for discussion. I encourage people to actively contribute to helping develop these strategies.”

For more information on the strategies visit www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/ruralcommunitiesstrategy or the www.nccma.vic.gov.au

For more information visit City of Greater Bendigo