Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW) will establish a new advisory group to provide the water authority with advice on the issues that impact its customers, the agricultural industry and the communities of Northern Victoria.
GMW Managing Director John Calleja said stakeholders had told GMW it needed to engage with them as “strategic partners who come together and solve regional problems.”
He believes the new Strategic Advisory Committee will be one way of doing this.
“Establishing our new stakeholder advisory committee will mean a change in the way we run our business,” Mr Calleja said.
“We will work together to achieve the best outcomes for our customers, stakeholders and as a result the agricultural industry.
“Understanding our customer and stakeholder interests, concerns and having the benefit of their experience in our planning process will enable GMW to achieve outcomes well beyond what we can achieve by ourselves.”
Led by GMW Board Chairman Sarah Scales the committee will be made up of industry, local government and community leaders who will help plan GMW’s future.
“It will be a change in the way we do business,” Ms Scales said.
“It will mean GMW and northern Victoria are working together to make business decisions that affect the future sustainability of our region.”
Ms Scales said the region was home to some of the country’s most innovative farmers and leading agricultural industry businesses.
“Working together will help our farmers, and our industry, continue to be leaders in their field,” she said. “This is about creating a sustainable business, a sustainable water delivery system and as a result will help shape the future of irrigated agriculture for northern Victoria.”
The committee will be made up of representatives from key stakeholder groups, including local and State Government, community, agricultural and industry bodies, Water Services Committees and Catchment Management Authorities.
“They will be leaders in their fields. People who are committed to working together to ensure our water delivery system supports the irrigated agricultural industry in northern Victoria, so it continues to be one of the best in Australia and the world,” Ms Scales said.
GMW’s Strategic Advisory Committee will provide strategic advice to the GMW Board on issues that affect GMW, the agricultural industry and the future of northern Victoria.
It is different to the Connections Project Stakeholder Committee, which will provide advice to the Project Control Group on issues relating to landowner and community engagement to ensure the smooth implementation of the project.
GMW is now calling for nominations to its Strategic Advisory Committee.
To find out how to nominate, or for more information, go to www.gmwater.com.au.
Nominations will close on Monday, May 23.
