1 December 2006
COMMUNITY HELPS SHAPE FUTURE OF WESTERNPORT WATERWAYS
Over 60 people with an interest in the future management and protection of waterways in the Westernport catchment attended Melbourne Water's "Making Connections" workshop in Melaleuca Lodge in Beaconsfield on Wednesday (29 November).
Melbourne Water's General Manager for Waterways Chris Chesterfield said the aim of the workshop was to seek a better understanding of how Melbourne Water and the Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority could involve the community in the protection and management of waterways in the Westernport catchment.
"Melbourne Water has only recently assumed responsibility for managing waterways and drainage for the whole of the Westernport catchment, and so the workshop gave us the opportunity to learn from the local experts in the room," Mr Chesterfield said.
A key outcome of the Victorian Government's Our Water Our Future action plan was the expansion of Melbourne Water's regional drainage, waterways and floodplain services to the entire Port Phillip and Westernport region in November last year.
Mr Chesterfield said the success of the workshop could be attributed to the participants' willingness to share their experiences and aspirations.
"We wanted everyone to participate and set the direction for the day. We were rewarded with some great suggestions for how Melbourne Water and the CMA can work with the community to improve the health of rivers and creeks in the area."
The workshop was attended by staff from Melbourne Water and the Port Phillip and Westernport CMA along with representatives from local Friends and Rotary groups, year 9 students from St Paul's Anglican Grammar, Westernport Catchment Landcare Network and the Bass Coast Landcare group, Gippsland CMA, Mornington, Cardinia, Casey and Frankston councils, DSE, EPA, DPI and Parks Victoria, Waterwatch, the Sea Grass Partnership, as well as businesses and professional associations from across the Westernport catchment.