Community conversations will make the Murraylands stronger, more adaptable

How can we make the Murraylands stronger and more adaptable?

Regional Development Australia wants to hear from community groups, sporting clubs and everyday people as part of an ambitious effort to find out.

RDA wants to start a series of “community conversations” about how best to prepare the region for whatever challenges life might throw at it.

It will also host an online summit on February 18 as it formulates its plan for the Murraylands and Riverland.

“To make this process work, we need to listen to our communities,” RDA chair Jodie Hawkes said.

“We ... aim to bring together community, industry and government to develop a regional vision and enduring voice.

“To achieve this, we need to hear from you and your networks.”

Groups interested in hosting an hour-and-a-half conversation can find out what to do on the Murraylands and Riverland Plan website.

Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board chair Di Davidson hoped that once people started a conversation, they would want to keep it going.

“We think participants will find this process very different to normal planning processes,” she said.

“(We hope you) will feel welcome and motivated to remain involved right through the community’s drafting of the plan, and well into its implementation.”

The planning process was revealed to business and community leaders at a breakfast at Murray Bridge Racing Club late last year.

The project’s costs are being met by the state government and the federal Future Drought Fund, in partnership with RDA, the landscape board and regional councils.

• More information: mrplan.com.au.
• Register for the online summit: www.surveymonkey.com.

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