STAFF residing within communities will better enhance the work of the Murray Darling Basin Authority.
That is the opinion of the Federal Member for Mallee, Andrew Broad in response to the announcement that MDBA regional engagement officers will be assigned throughout basin communities.The authority announced that it would appoint engagement officers as part of a wider decentralisation plan that will see roles moved from its Canberra headquarters to other parts of its coverage area.
“The best way to understand the complex issues around the basin is to live and work within it and to make policy decisions with the benefit of genuine, on the ground experience and knowledge,” Mr Broad said.
“The people who live in the basin and rely on it for their livelihood can offer a local perspective that has been missing from much of the policy development for too long.
“The increased community engagement this announcement delivers is a positive step in improving policy outcomes.”
Mr Broad said that he had asked the authority’s chief executive officer, Phillip Glyde to ensure that Mildura features prominently in any decentralisation plans.
“Our region is a significant basin community and is home to many of Australia’s key agricultural and horticultural exporters and as such, we’re heavily impacted by water policy,” Mr Brad said.
“It seems logical to have MDBA staff here, on the ground, benefitting from local knowledge and I will be continuing to advocate for this.”
