LEETON Shire Council has given its feedback on the new Murray-Darling Basin Authority's chairman after his visit to the shire this week.
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Council's mayor Paul Maytom said it was a pleasure to welcome the MDBA's new chairman Sir Angus Houston as well as other senior water industry representatives to the area.
Sir Angus Houston was accompanied by MDBA's chief executive officer Phillip Glyde, the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder Jody Swirepik, and senior staff from the Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment, MDBA and the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder.
Council representatives met with the group and delivered a presentation during their visit to the shire.
"At our meeting, council focused the conversation on the urgent need to plan cohesively now for the future and the importance of ensuring a diverse and sustainable agricultural sector supported by a fully optimised irrigation area," said councillor Maytom.
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"Our key messages included advocating for a principles-based approach to decision making at all levels of government (such as always ensuring water use is fully optimised when making planning decisions).
"Also moving to measure economic success at a whole of community level, not only at the farm gate; and pursuing an appropriate mix of permanent and annual crops that will continue to foster diversity and support the wide range of food and fibre manufacturing industries in the region.
"Another important message council communicated is that the MIA was purposely built as part of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Scheme which delivers water efficiently for productive use and the environment.
"We also highlighted the importance of being clear about environmental goals and measuring their achievement."
At our meeting, council focused the conversation on the urgent need to plan cohesively now for the future and the importance of ensuring a diverse and sustainable agricultural sector supported by a fully optimised irrigation area/
- Leeton Shire Council mayor Paul Maytom
While in the area, Sir Angus visited the RAMSAR-listed Fivebough Wetlands and was impressed at how Leeton's cleaned effluent supports the watering of the area and, in turn, the wide array of birds found there.
"Referring to the visit as 'his first of many trips out into the Basin,' Sir Angus said he was keen to listen and learn," Cr Maytom said.
"Council would like to thank the group for their visit and we look forward to continuing to work together with government and industry representatives on achieving balanced outcomes for communities."
