MDBA Chief Executive, Phillip Glyde, said the pilot program, which had employed six officers across the Basin, had been evaluated and shown to have provided better connections between regional communities and the MDBA.
"We started the Regional Engagement Officer network to build links between people living in the Basin and the MDBA so that we could better understand, meet the needs of, and address the concerns of people most affected by and interested in the Basin Plan," Mr Glyde said.
"Our evaluation of the pilot shows we are on the right path.
"We are recruiting for seven Regional Engagement Officers who will work between two days and four days a week, depending on the region. Over time we may review locations or add more, based on need.
"This, combined with our greater regional presence in Adelaide, Albury-Wodonga and Toowoomba, demonstrates the MDBA's commitment to bringing community voices into decision making—and to ensuring people get the information they need from us.
"The Basin Plan is a long-term and visionary policy to ensure a sustainable future for communities, industries and the environment of the Basin.
"Our current Regional Engagement Officers have helped us to improve our communication with local people who want to share their experiences, concerns and ideas about the Basin Plan.
"They have also been influencing us and how we work and I have valued this assistance.
Regional Engagement Officers are being recruited for the following regions:
- Lower South Australia Murray
- Goulburn Murray
- Murrumbidgee
- Lower Darling–Sunraysia region
- Mid-Murray
- Barwon–Darling
- Lower Balonne
"Our hope is to have the right people in these positions by the new financial year," Mr Glyde said.
"Once we have Regional Engagement Officers identified we will be looking to partner with local organisations to host them in communities."
ENDS