THE STORY SO FAR
A submission to the Murrindindi Council in 2004 to build a large golf resort, saw the initiation of the Acheron Riverkeeper. The proposed Cathedral Range Golf Resort, which was to be built on the Acheron River between Taggerty and Buxton, was to include 180 residential allotments, 70 golf apartments, as well as five star resort amenities including a restaurant and an 18 hole golf course.
Since then, the proposal for the project has been withdrawn and the Acheron Riverkeeper group have gone from strength to strength as a community group who are concerned with the well-being of the local Acheron River catchment. The group is currently involved in a number of community based programs to raise awareness of the rivers importance and health. This year the group has been involved in teaching new residents of the area to keep land sustainable and to enhance bio-diversity and river bank erosion control. This has included working with local property owners who have properties on the river to be wary of the types of chemicals they maybe using to eradicate weeds and other fauna.
With the North South Pipeline project being a major political issue in Victoria, the Acheron Riverkeeper group have been actively involved in a campaign to try and explain that there are better ways to conserve water than simply taking it from already drought stricken areas. This year the group wrote submissions to Victorian planning Minister Justin Madden urging him to have an Environment Effects Statement done on the planned North South Pipeline, before the project commences. Acheron Riverkeeper Rita Seethaler is concerned that the project will further endanger certain species of flora, fauna and vegetation along the river as well as some types of already endangered wildlife.
PLAN FOR 2008
2008 is gearing up to be a big year. At this stage the group will continue to engage in activities that will strengthen co-operation and communication with planning and decision making bodies, local residents and the broader public, as well as continuing to raise awareness of the river’s health. This will be done by:
- Inviting the Department of Primary Industries to conduct a course called My Farm/ Our Landscape, which is run to teach primary industry farmers, Bed and Breakfast owners, and those who have had a ‘tree change’ on how to use water and the land in a sustainable way.
- Organising a forum with scientists to discuss water situations within the local area and wider Victoria.
- Conduct information sessions and public discussions on the policy issues relating to water and climate change.
- Plan for further workshops to raise awareness of the plight of the local water system.
ACTIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
As a local community organisation, the Acheron Riverkeeper’s have actively involved themselves in other aspects of the environment. This includes the set up of the Murrindindi Climate Network in January 2007. This umbrella organisation was formed after the viewing of the highly acclaimed film An Inconvenient Truth, and aims to tackle head on the issues of climate change on the Acheron Valley and Cathedral Ranges as well as the wider community.
The group was also involved in organising a Federal Candidate Forum on Climate Change for the Ward of McEwen. At this occasion, the local residents of the area could learn about the different parties’ climate change policies and ask relevant questions in the lead-up of the federal elections. This event was recorded and broadcast in regional radio stations together with a special interview that the group conducted with Professor David Karoly, leading climate scientist and member of the IPCC.
The group and its umbrella organisation is also involved in supporting local charities such as the Country Fire Authority or Wildlife rescue centres, through fundraising drives.
GETTING INVOLVED
To become a member please contact Rita Seethaler.
Contact:
Acheron Riverkeeper
(Acheron Valley Watch Inc)
Rita Seethaler - Chairperson
rita.seethaler@tuti.com.au
PO Box 363
Alexandra VIC 3714
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