Dealing with salinity in Wheatbelt Valleys - Department of Water

with Salinity in Wheatbelt Valleys Conference
Dealing
Prospects and Practical Options
Processes,
NEXT STEPS TOWARDS ACHIEVING THE ‘SHARED VISION’
Summary Comments From The Workshop
ADVANCING THE VISION
• Communicate the ‘Shared Vision’ as an outcome of the conference to the State Salinity
Council, the Salinity Taskforce, Regional NRM groups, all levels of government and
community. It should be promoted as belonging to the entire community.
• Arrange a ‘Drafting Group’ to refine the Vision and prepare a strategy for it’s
implementation
• Seek broad political support for the ‘Shared Vision’ to ensure that it endures beyond the
period of the current government
• Engage broad community support for the ‘Shared Vision’, especially with those in rural
communities who were not at the conference.
• Seek commitment to implement the ‘Shared Vision’ through funding and strategic action
• A response to the 5 Key Conference Questions is required.
• Some considered that a single authority with legislative support for salinity management
be established (the ‘Salinity Action Commission’ was suggested, modelled on the Murray
Darling Basin Commission) to implement actions to advance the ‘Shared Vision’.
However, most were in favour of the existing State Salinity Council, regional NRM groups
(such as the Avon Working Group), perhaps the Salinity taskforce and the new Drainage
Working Group to be leaders in advancing the vision.
• Suggested key tasks for ‘lead body to advance the ‘Shared Vision’ includes
communicating the Vision, setting policy directions, identifying critical R&D pathways,
streamlining project implementation, initiating education and training programs and
managing media.
• Provide capacity for local communities to prepare ‘Local Community Visions’ that align
with this ‘Shared Vision’
• Need to develop a ‘Salinity Operation Plan’ to achieve the Vision, with a focus on
Biodiversity, Hydrology and Valley Floors
• Need ‘Demonstration Catchments’ based on strategies from the ‘Shared Vision’.
Integrated practices to be developed and demonstrated (especially PURSL and OPUS
initiatives).
• Need to get the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality aligned with the
‘Shared Vision’. Partnership Arrangements according to this alignment to be developed.
• All groups need to be ‘less exclusive’
• Protocol for agency/community coordination and communication required
• Identify those who attended the conference as the “Wheatbelt 2021 Group” and foster
communications within the group (participant contacts to be circulated; website discussion
could be encouraged)