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Creating the vision and plan for the Mokoan wetlands and associated land was managed by the Department of Sustainability and Environment in conjunction with the Lake Mokoan Future Land Use Steering Committee. Beca Consultants completed working with the Steering Committee to prepare a Lake Mokoan Future Land Use Strategy that identifies the proposed uses for the 8000 hectare site after the drawdown process is complete.
Stage one of the study was finalised in September 2005 and included a series of community information sessions and workshops to identify potential opportunities for the site. The Steering Committee and consultants were then able to develop and assess a range of identified land use options.
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A series of community feedback sessions, expert workshops and review of additional studies were conducted in the development of the final land use plan for the study area.
The Lake Mokoan Future Land Use Strategy (FLUS) revolves around the wetland system and recommending other opportunities for land uses such as agriculture, tourism, recreation and forestry. The FLUS is endorsed by the Government with a commitment to fund up to $20 million for implementation. A Committee of Management, which included community representatives, was seen as the best way in which to implement the FLUS.
Winton Wetlands Committee of Management Inc.
The Winton Wetlands Committee of Management was established as an incorporated committee of management under the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978 in April 2009. The committee will have responsibility and authority to manage, improve, maintain and control the Winton Wetlands, for the purposes of the reservation in line with the general direction set out in the Future Land Use Strategy. The committee will provide integrated decision making and act as a conduit for sharing information and knowledge between Government and the local and regional community.
The Winton Wetlands Committee of Management consists of nine members, with five community members including the chairperson and four nominated members from relevant government agencies including the Department of Sustainability and Environment, Goulburn-Broken Catchment Management Authority, and the Benalla Rural City Council. A Goulburn-Murray Water officer will attend committee meetings up until the Mokoan site is fully transferred to Committee of Management
The Winton Wetlands Committee of Management
 Chairperson Mr William (Bill) Hill;
Mr John Brownstein;
Mr Nick Roberts ;
Mr Paul Dahlenburg;
Ms Sally Simson;
Mr Allan McPherson (Department of Sustainability and Environment);
Mr Dimitrios Scordalides (Benalla Rural City Council);
Mr Terry Court (Goulburn-Broken Catchment Management Authority); and
Mr Nick Byrne (Tourism Victoria).
Lake Mokoan Future Land Use Strategy
The Lake Mokoan Future Land Use Strategy was endorsed by the Steering Committee, with additional recommendations, for release for public comment. Two community information sessions were held at the DSE Benalla office on Monday 25th September 2006 and Tuesday 10th October 2006.
The community consultation period for the Future Land Use Strategy ended Friday 20th October 2006. The document was on display at the following locations:
 Benalla Rural City Office
Benalla DSE
Wangaratta DSE
Rural City of Wangaratta Office
The Strategy is available to be downloaded from the website under publications below.
The Strategy is divided into 3 sections. There is a letter from the Steering Committee which is a covering document to the strategy and contains a number of additional recommendations. It is important to include this document when downloading the whole strategy or its parts.
Click here to download the Lake Mokoan Future Land Use Strategy.
Submissions
Twenty five submissions were received, sixteen from individuals and nine from organisations or groups. Fourteen of the submissions were either supportive or very supportive of the FLUS and five were not supportive. The remaining six submissions either did not state or it was unclear whether or not they supported the FLUS.
Overall many of the submissions (click here to view summary) generally support the directions outlined in the FLUS. Many of the comments will assist in the implementation of the FLUS program. A number of issues will be covered with the development of more detailed management plans. These plans will involve discussions and involvement with key stakeholder groups including all groups that have commented on the FLUS.
Endorsement of Future Land USe Strategy
Lake Mokoan Future Land Use Steering Committee has met with Minister for Water and Climate Change, John Thwaites, to progress the Future Land Use Strategy for the return of the natural wetland system. Committee representatives met with the Minister in Shepparton to present community submissions received during the public exhibition of the draft strategy.
The Future Land Use Strategy was endorsed by the Minister for Water, Tim Holding, and a commitment for funding of up to $20 million for implementation of the strategy was made. The DSE thanks the members of the Steering Committee for their time and effort in the development of the FLUS. The Steering Committee's function has now ceased.
Acknowledgements
The Future Land Use Steering Committee, the consultants (Beca Pty. Ltd.) and the Department of Sustainability and Environment thank all those people and organisations who have contributed in the development of the strategy over the past 18 months. A special acknowledgement is made to the indigenous community and their representative organisations, for their contribution to the strategy, specifically:
 North East Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Program
Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd.
Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation
Bangerang Cultural Centre Co-operative Ltd
Taungurong Clans Aboriginal Corporation
Mungabareena Clans Aboriginal Corporation
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 In January 2005 The Lake Mokoan Future Land Use Steering Committee was established by the Department of Sustainability and Environment to assist the Government in developing a strategy for the reclaimed site following the decommissioning of Lake Mokoan.
The prime function of the Steering Committee was to guide the development of a vision and strategy for the future land use, and provide recommendations and advice to the Victorian Government in the form of the Lake Mokoan Future Land Use Strategy.
The steering committee consisted of twelve members, seven representing the community, plus representatives from Benalla Rural City and government agencies.
| The original Management Team for this project was made up of the following people: |
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Tony Long (Program Manager)
North East Water and Biodiversity Manager
Department of Sustainability and Environment Regional
Phone 57611611
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Brett Spicer (Manager - Consultants)
Senior Projects Officer
Department of Sustainability and Environment Major Projects
Phone 03 96379576
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Phil Stevenson (Manager - Community Engagement)
Executive Officer
Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority
Phone 58 201 100 Mobile 0419511194
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The agency representatives appointed to the Lake Mokoan Future Land Use Steering Committee are: |
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Wayne Tennant - GBCMA -, Manager Riverine Strategies, Adaptive Research |
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David Jeffery - G-MW - Program Director - Lake Mokoan Decommissioning Project |
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John Brownstein (Mayor) - Benalla Rural City Council |
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Lyn Tanner (Councillor) - Benalla Rural City Council |
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Department of Sustainability and Environment - Kevin Ritchie - Manager North East Region
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Community members appointed to the Lake Mokoan Future Land Use Steering Committee are: |
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Sally Simson (Chair) has a long association with the region, both professionally and as a resident. She has particular insight into issues relating to Lake Mokoan through her previous tenure on the Lake Mokoan Study Reference Committee. Sally also serves on the Mid Goulburn-Broken Implementation Committee (MGBIC) of the GBCMA, and has 15 years experience in the horticulture industry. Sally brings strong leadership skills as displayed in her role as Manager of Development at the University of Melbourne, and as current Chair of the MGBIC. Her understanding of the environmental, economic and social issues of natural resource management and regional development will be an asset to this committee.
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Russel Ellis (Deputy Chair) has strong ties to the local community and knowledge of Lake Mokoan, and is well credentialed in the field of natural resource management. He has 33 years experience in farming and land management, is President of the Upper Boosey Mokoan Weed Action Committee, and his nomination for this Steering Committee has been endorsed by the Warby Range Landcare Group. He also has links with the VFF and CFA.
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Doug Bain represents local landholders adjacent to the lake. He has an intimate knowledge of Lake Mokoan and the former Winton Swamp, having lived on its shores for most of his life. Doug is a member of the Community Working Group for the Restoration of Lake Mokoan, and was formerly a member of the Lake Mokoan Study Reference Committee. He also brings practical fire protection experience to the committee through involvement with the CFA dating back to 1974, and his role as Taminick Rural Fire Brigade Captain since 1996.
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Mike Burston brings decades of experience in rural affairs to the committee. He has a strong connection to the region as a farmer at the headwaters of the Boosey Creek and has another property adjacent to Lake Mokoan. Currently a member of the VFF Benalla Executive, Mike is the official nomination from the VFF as their representative on the Steering Committee.
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Paul Dahlenburg has a strong local association with Lake Mokoan as General Manager of Baileys of Glenrowan. His affiliations with various environmental and vigneron committees, such as Warby Range Landcare and North East Wine Zone Committee enable Paul to bring a range of skills to the Steering Committee including regional development, horticulture and natural resource management. Paul will represent horticultural and regional development interests.
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Charles Jones has over 10 years experience working as a community member on various Boards and Committees in the natural resource management field. He is currently Secretary of the Benalla District Environment Group. His nomination as representative of the BDEG has been endorsed by this group's President, Ms. Christine Holmes. Charles also brings strong affiliations with Environment Victoria and the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority , currently as a GBCMA Board member and as a former member of the MGBIC.
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Huw Davies brings business acumen and knowledge of Lake Mokoan to the Steering Committee. He has demonstrated experience in the provision of advice on, and analysis of, issues in business, regional development and natural resource management through current and previous Board positions. He provides continuity with the Lake Mokoan Study for which he served as Chair of the Reference Committee. |
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The development of the Future Land Use Strategy could not have been possible without community involvement. Throughout the development of the FLUS community consultation has occurred at various stages of development utilising the following forums:
- The Future Land Use Steering Committee,
- Focus Groups, and
- Public Meetings.
The Future Land Use Strategy was available for community comment. The consultation allowed the community to view the Strategy and provide feedback. | | | |
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