The NSW Murray catchment’s natural biodiversity is under considerable stress and many plants and animals are under threat from weeds, pest animals, changed water regimes and inappropriate landuse, which affect both the catchment’s biodiversity and agricultural sustainability.

To help protect and restore the biodiversity in the NSW Murray catchment, the Murray Catchment Management Authority and the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water are developing a Biodiversity Management Plan. The plan is being developed in conjunction with the Murray catchment community and specialists in wildlife, flora, water and cultural heritage.

“We need the involvement and ownership of the whole community, bringing their skills and knowledge to the table so we can use that information to prioritise management actions on the ground in a practical and accurate plan” says David Costello of the Murray CMA Biodiversity Management Planning team.

The Chair of the Murray CMA, Mrs Alex Anthony says that co-ordinating the efforts of the Murray CMA, local government, the NSW and Australian governments and the local community is the key to achieving cost effective action.

“Investment in maintaining biodiversity has been one of the central planks of the Murray CMA, and will continue to be a key activity.

“We want to bring all the stakeholders together to make decisions about when, where and how to invest time, money and energy into improving the landscape, to make sure we get the best return on our investment” she added.

A series of community consultation sessions were held in June, and more opportunities will follow over the next 12 months or so, to have input into the decisions and priorities in the plan.

If you are interested in the management of biodiversity in your area, and would like to

contribute your ideas and knowledge, please contact project officer, Alison Skinner at

the Murray CMA on 02 6051 2240.

More information: Alison Skinner, Murray CMA 6051 2240 alison.skinner@cma.nsw.gov.au