Berrigan Shire Council is working with Murray River, Edward River and Federation councils to develop and deliver a Regional Drought Resilience Plan for the Southern Riverina area.
The plan is being funded by the Federal Government and the NSW Government under the Future Drought Fund.
The plan aims to develop practical solutions for addressing gaps in how communities prepare for and respond to drought.
The plan will present:
• historical and predicted impacts of drought in each region;
• an evidence-based, triple-bottom-line strategy to mitigate or adapt to future drought impacts; and
• a prioritised list of actions and pathways to build drought resilience specific to the region and addressing the needs of the community.
In a joint statement, mayors Julia Cornwell McKean, Chris Bilkey, Peta Betts and Pat Bourke said plans were well under way and that stakeholder and community engagement was a key process for the plan to succeed.
To this end, community engagement sessions in Berrigan have been planned at the Finley Returned Soldiers’ Club on Monday, October 9 and at Tocumwal Golf and Bowls Club on Tuesday, October 10.
Both drop-in sessions will run between 1pm and 6pm.
“All councils are asking their communities to actively engage with this process so their ideas and thoughts on drought preparation, management and recovery are captured and implemented in consistent ways across the Southern Riverina area,” Ms Cornwell McKean said.
According to a statement released by Berrigan Shire Council, the councils involved see the Southern Riverina Drought Resilience Plan as a positive outcome for the area and a chance to highlight the importance of cordial relations between the region’s local government areas.