The Reconnecting River Country Program can now reach more stakeholders than ever before thanks to the launch of its first virtual consultation space.
Water Infrastructure NSW's, Executive Director of Project Interfaces and Program Management, Ingrid Emery said the new online space will complement existing on ground consultation while providing thousands of stakeholders with the most up to date information in real time and allowing landholders to conduct their own case studies virtually.
"The Reconnecting River Country Program spans more than a hundred rural communities across the Murray and Murrumbidgee Rivers, and this new online platform builds on our face-to-face meetings by allowing us to reach even more members of the community," Ms Emery said.
"Through the virtual space we've giving landholders the opportunity to complete an online case study at any time, from anywhere, with the click of a button."
Online case studies will complement the on-ground engagement, which began late last year and is continuing in 2022. They will enable potentially impacted landholders to engage with the program using a web map specifically built for their property.
Ms Emery said using both online and field-based case studies will allow landholders to provide feedback on the benefits and impacts of different flow options, identify assets on their property, view inundation maps and validate modelling.
"We know locals are rich with unique knowledge and expertise which is invaluable for the program. The digital platform will give us access to a wider cross section of stakeholders ensuring everyone has an opportunity to have their say," she said.
The virtual space is for the proposed works on the Murrumbidgee River and features engagement surveys, animations, photography, presentations, and interactive maps.
The Reconnecting River Country Program is working closely with communities on the Murray and Murrumbidgee to improve wetland and floodplain connectivity while balancing economic, social, cultural and environmental outcomes.
To learn more about the Reconnecting River Country Program visit dpie.nsw.gov.au/reconnecting-river-country-program
To explore the new virtual space visit https://caportal.com.au/dpe/rcc
Our first virtual consultation space.
