Communication and Community Consultation

The Living Murray communications and consultation program aims to:

• ensure that individuals and group who are likely to be impacted upon or materially interested in activities have adequate opportunity to input into decisions affecting them.
• ensure that all relevant information and a diversity of views are considered in the decision-making process.
• increase awareness, understanding of and support for The Living Murray.

Communication

In May 2006, the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council approved The Living Murray Communications Strategy 2006–07.

This Strategy outlines how jurisdictions and the MDBC office will communicate accurate and up to date information of activities under The Living Murray to foster publication confidence in the way that environmental water is recovered, applied and accounted for.

Activities include The Living Murray webpage on the MDBC website, publications, media, events, sponsorship and education resources. Support is also provided for regional project officers and community groups to communicate progress of The Living Murray.

Community Consultation:

Community consultation across The Living Murray is formally undertaken through The Living Murray Community Reference Group. This Group provides advice to the Community Advisory Committee, and through the Ministerial Council. This communication and consultation process is depicted below.

The Living Murray communication and advice pathways:

In addition to The Living Murray Community Reference Group, community consultation is undertaken at each of The Living Murray Icon Sites.

Icon site community reference groups have been established to provide local advice on issues related to the development and implementation of each icon site management plan. These groups also provide advice on consultation with regional and local groups that have an interest in the management of each site.

In the development of each icon site management plan, input in also sought from Indigenous communities through the establishment of localised Indigenous Reference Groups. Consultation with Indigenous people takes an inclusive approach by giving appropriate respect to the knowledge and views of traditional owners.

For further information about community involvement in The Living Murray, visit the Communities page.

Links to The Living Murray's Other Programs

• Water Recovery
• Water Application
• Environmental Works and Measures
• Communication and Community Consultation
• Indigenous Partnerships