Chief Executive of the MDBA, Phillip Glyde, said the six partner organisations had been selected to host a Regional Engagement Officer because they had a strong understanding of water issues in their region and established networks.
"We also needed to ensure a geographic spread across the basin so that our Regional Engagement Officers are able to explain our work to a broad audience and to ensure the voices they hear are brought back to us," Mr Glyde said.
The six partner organisations are:
- Greater Shepparton City Council – Shepparton, Vic
- Leeton Shire Council – Leeton, NSW
- RDA Darling Downs and South West Qld – St George, Qld
- North East Catchment Management Authority – Wodonga, Vic
- SA MDB Natural Resource Management Board – Murray Bridge, SA
- Wentworth Shire Council – Wentworth, NSW
"The MDBA together with the partner organisations, is in the process of appointing individual Regional Engagement Officers who will work part-time to strengthen links between their community and the MDBA.
"Once we have people in these roles we will be bringing them together so we can use their knowledge and expertise to inform how these positions will work, on the ground, to add value for their communities and to help the MDBA deliver its objectives.
"We are piloting the Regional Engagement Officers over 12-months and will monitor how they can help the MDBA to engage more effectively with basin communities.
"This is our first step in enhancing our regional presence and the intention is to complement these Regional Engagement Officers by basing some other MDBA staff outside Canberra.
"Our Regional Engagement Officers will work collaboratively with the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office to ensure that we reduce duplication and increase cooperation between government agencies.
"We will take our time to plan and get this right," Mr Glyde said.
The Regional Engagement Officer partners were selected through a merit-based closed tender process.
ENDS
For more information, contact the MDBA Media office at media@mdba.gov.au or 02 6279 0141
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