Planning a prosperous future for Shepparton Irrigation Region
LOCATION
Shepparton Irrigation Region
TRADITIONAL OWNERS
Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation and Taungurung Land and Waters Council
OUTPUTS
- Draft for Public consultation
- Three community engagement events
- Finalised plan
INVESTMENT ( 4 YEARS)
$450,000
PARTNERS
Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation, Taungurung Land and Waters Council, DEECA, North Central CMA, Agriculture Victoria, Goulburn Murray Water
A plan that guides efforts to protect and enhance the land, water and communities of the Shepparton Irrigation Region has been updated.
The Shepparton Irrigation Region Land and Water Management Plan 2050 is a renewal of what is Australia’s longest-running natural resource management plan. It was first designed more than 30 years ago in response to a salinity crisis and to protect and enhance the natural assets of the region.
The plan considers environmental elements while supporting sustainable development of the irrigation industry, which is vital for the local economy and Australia’s food security.
Over the renewal journey, the plan has been refined based on extensive feedback from the community and relevant industries. A collaborative approach ensures the needs and interests of stakeholders are considered.
The renewed plan focuses on five critical attributes (Biodiversity, Resilient Communities, Farm and Regional Prosperity, Water Availability and Drainage) which are under pressure in the Shepparton Irrigation Region socio-ecological system. Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and using a resilience approach, the SIRLWMP 2050 aims to capture and communicate the region’s uniqueness and complexity.
The plan has been recognised nationally and internationally for its successful implementation of best practices in catchment management.
The new 2050 plan was officially endorsed by the Goulburn Broken CMA Board in June 2024. Goulburn Broken CMA’s Sustainable Landscapes Manager, Carl Walters, said the plan was the result of extensive consultation with stakeholders from across the region. “We listened carefully to the concerns and ideas from farmers, environmentalists and community members and we’ve incorporated that communication into the renewed plan.”
He said the renewal process provided the opportunity to reflect on all the plan had achieved over more than 30 years. “It’s useful to look back and learn from the past but now it’s time to look forward and pave the way for a prosperous future for the Shepparton Irrigation Region.”
Shepparton Irrigation Region People and Planning Integration Committee chair, Kelvin Bruce, said it was crucial to take a long lens approach to planning for the future. “In the beginning, I thought it was a bit ambitious to be planning for the next 30 years but now I realise it’s essential that we do,” Mr Bruce said.
“How else can we be nimble enough to deal with challenges as they arise and take advantage of opportunities when they are presented.”
The land and water management plan sets the goals for the
Shepparton Irrigation Region into the future.
