The Chief Executive of the MDBA, Phillip Glyde, said the newly appointed Regional Engagement Officer (REO), Nic Perkins, is a local livestock farmer who has strong links with the local community, landholders and local government.
"Having Mr Perkins on board provides a new avenue for local people to feed their experiences, concerns and aspirations back to the MDBA, and is an important step towards greater community understanding of the Basin Plan," Mr Glyde said.
"Mr Perkins is one of seven REOs working in the pilot program. They all bring with them impressive skills and experience, which are matched by the expertise of their host organisations.
Mr Perkins currently works on his family property near Dirranbandi and is also involved in a rangeland goat project. He has a degree in environmental management, and has previously worked in sustainable cropping, land conservation, grazing systems and salinity management.
The Chair of RDA DDSW, Vic Pennisi, said the RDA was looking forward to supporting Mr Perkins in his role and helping the MDBA to administer and evaluate the pilot program.
"We believe having an engagement officer in the lower Balonne region will really help build a bridge between local experiences and knowledge of the Basin Plan and Canberra where water policy is made," Mr Pennisi said.
"This region has seen a lot of changes in agriculture over the years. This new avenue for local people to feed their experiences, concerns and aspirations back to the MDBA is an important step towards greater community understanding of the Basin Plan.
"As the host organisation, we'll be providing administrative support to Mr Perkins and assist him to extend on his knowledge and relationships in the region."
Other organisations hosting a REO include the South Australian Murray–Darling Basin Natural Resource Management Board, Wentworth Shire Council, Greater Shepparton City Council, the Leeton Shire Council, North East Catchment Management Authority and Bourke Shire Council.
Alongside the REO program, the MDBA has also announced that it will establish offices in Toowoomba, Albury-Wodonga and in Adelaide, to further increase its regional presence and connections to Basin communities.
Ends
For more information, contact the MDBA Media office at media@mdba.gov.au or 02 6279 0141
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