At this week’s Council Meeting in Alexandra Murrindindi Shire Council resolved to form two new advisory panels and ‘take a more focused approach to our environment and sustainability,’
Council resolved to establish an annual public forum ‘to report on its delivery on the environmental commitments in the Council Plan 2017-2021‘ and engage with the community on priorities delivering the plan.
Natural Environment and Climate Change Councillor Rebecca Bowles said while the Murrindindi Environment Advisory Committee (MEAC) had served council well since formed in 2007, it was time to consider how to best focus advice on delivering the environmental commitments in the Council Plan.
As a result the terms of reference and membership of MEAC has not been renewed.
“MEAC has been integral to the development of our Roadside Management Plan and Code of Practice, as well as the Roadside weed pest and animal Control Plan.
“On Council’s behalf I’d like to recognise and thank our MEAC members for their time and the excellent advice they’ve provided as volunteers over the years. They’ve allowed us to tap into their knowledge and expertise over this time and we greatly appreciate it, Bowles said.
“The changes we are making reflect a change in focus to ensure we not only protect our environment, but also continue to improve the Shire’s sustainability, as we believe these go hand-in-hand.
“Therefore, we’ll be setting up two expert panels to advise us on our natural resource management and our renewable energy initiatives.
“We’re also keen to ensure we engage more closely with our community about our environment and sustainability.
“One of the things I am really excited about is our decision to hold an annual public environmental forum, (or forums) to showcase projects our local groups are undertaking and also to provide updates on Council’s own projects.
“This will give our community opportunity to feed back its ideas or comments to us.
“We know from our Have Your Say campaign our residents love our Shire’s natural environment and we think these changes will ensure we deliver the care it requires,” Bowles said.
“So watch this space for more information on our advisory panels over the coming months and our forum which will be held later this year.”
