About the reference groups
Early in 2023, the Reconnecting River Country Program ran an expressions of interest (EoI) process seeking applications from eligible community members to become private landholder or First Nations reference group members.
The purpose of the reference groups is to support transparent, equitable, fair and consistent engagement about the program with a broad range of potentially affected landholders and First Nations communities.
Reference group members engage on key aspects of the program on behalf of a declared group of potentially affected private landholders or on behalf of First Nations people.
The role of reference group members is to:
- represent the views and interests of the program’s most affected stakeholders (each landholder reference group member represents at least five declared stakeholders)
- represent the views and interests of their declared stakeholder networks and First Nations people
- provide feedback and advice on key elements of the program
- road test selected program information and communication products with their declared stakeholder networks
- act as a conduit for sharing approved program information with their declared stakeholder networks.
As a result of the EoI process, three private landholder reference groups were established, two covering the Murray program area and one covering the Murrumbidgee program area. Each group consists of four to six members who represent a minimum of five declared stakeholders meeting the eligibility criteria.
In addition, one First Nations reference group was established representing nations across the Murray and Murrumbidgee program areas.
Selection criteria
Landholder reference group member criteria
To become a landholder reference group member, applicants must:
- have been a landholder or property manager whose land lies within the program area that may be inundated
- own or manage land located within one or more of the following reaches:
- Hume to Yarrawonga
- Yarrawonga to Wakool Junction
- upper Murrumbidgee (from Burrinjuck Dam to Darlington Point)
- lower Murrumbidgee (Darlington Point to the Murray Junction).
- have considered the level of impact on their landholdings, enterprise or assets
- have established their farming practice or land use could be directly affected
- represent a group of directly affected landholders within the program area and be willing speak on their behalf
- have declared the group members they are representing.
First Nations reference group member criteria
To become a First Nations reference group member, applicants must:
- have identified as an Aboriginal person and be recognised as such in their community
- have a cultural connection to wetlands and rivers within one or more of the following reaches:
- Hume to Yarrawonga
- Yarrawonga to Wakool Junction
- upper Murrumbidgee (from Burrinjuck Dam to Darlington Point)
- lower Murrumbidgee (Darlington Point to the Murray Junction).
- have knowledge in cultural heritage and landscape/water management with experience in cultural heritage protection and advocating for the diverse needs of Country
- have cultural authority and representation to be able to speak on behalf of Country and community.
Reference group progress update
Landholder reference groups
The program’s private landholder reference groups met for the first time in early June 2023. At these meetings several key aspects of the program were discussed including the:
- program’s context and progress
- flow options being considered
- mitigation principles
- potential mitigation works
- flow corridors.
The landholder reference groups met again in August 2023 to discuss key program elements in more detail. This included various draft methodologies being tested by the program including:
- scoping an approach to flow easements
- scoping an approach to compensation
- the draft negotiation assistance package
- the draft agreement components.
View summaries of the discussions held with the landholder reference group members at these meetings below.
First Nations reference groups
The program’s First Nations reference group met for the first time in early June 2023. At this first meeting the group discussed the program’s context and progress and First Nations’ aspirations for the program.
The First Nations reference group met again in August 2023 and discussed a proposal to develop a statement of support for the program. The members were also provided with a brief update on the flow options being considered.
Next steps
The reference groups were originally set up to run until October 2023. Unless otherwise notified, the term of the reference groups finishes on 29 October 2023.
The continuation of reference groups beyond October 2023 is subject to funding, resource availability and departmental review.