3 June 2019
What 'best' means for community and environment
Day 2 of the Sunbury's Water Future community panel was another full day of deliberations where panellists went into greater detail to tackle the remit:
‘What water management options are best for our community and the environment?’
Prior to the session on 25 May, panellists were asked to consider what ‘best’ means for the community and the environment. Scroll down to read a selection of their responses.
During the session, these responses and the question were explored further and panellists were also asked to consider these along with the criteria to assess the water management options for Sunbury’s Water Future.
What options are on the table for Sunbury?
To help in their deliberations, Melbourne Water and Western Water have provided panellists with a range of options as a guide. Panellists have been encouraged to explore other ideas that address the many issues relating to healthy waterways, stormwater, recycled water/wastewater and drinking water.
From incentivising or mandating additional stormwater management initiatives, beneficially using recycled water and using alternative water sources for a variety of uses, the panel’s ideas and the questions generated are diverse and many.
Watch this short video to learn more about the panel's deliberations on Day 2.
Expert speakers adding value
In addition to Melbourne Water and Western Water representatives being on hand to answer any questions, Day 2 saw panellists also meeting with five expert speakers. These speakers, invited on recommendation from a prior community discussion, offered invaluable information on topics such as biodiversity, horticulture and irrigation, water supply security, waterway ecosystems, and environmental law. Many thanks to the following for their generous contributions:
What’s next?
For Day 3, the panel have nominated a range of speakers and topics. This will be the final session where speakers will be invited. It will also be the last day panellists can ask questions before they begin the task of compiling their final recommendations for submission on 29 June.
Observe the panel process
The next community panel session on Saturday June 8 will be open to a limited number of observers.
This is a great opportunity to experience the deliberative engagement process at work and understand why the community plays such an important role in our decision-making processes.
Register your interest and find out the dates and times you can attend.The last panel session is on Saturday 29 June 2019.
Panel members share their views
Read some of the panel's responses to the question of what 'best' means for community and environment.
community member
'The community desires a clean abundant water source and a way to dispose of wastes; the environment requires healthy inputs into waterways.'
community member
‘Readily available drinking water at an affordable price; stormwater is controlled and managed to the best ability of landowners and authorities.’
community member
‘A well-managed, sustainable, water system to enhance biodiversity and provide for human environmental needs.'
community member
‘A community is usually the main determinant of the quality of its local environment. [It] can be a positive influence for a better future.’
community member
'For the community, "best" means always available and affordable. For the environment, "best" means the ecological balance remains sustainable.'
community member
'"Best'"is providing reliable infrastructures that minimise the effects on the environment via realistic accounting that is based on water usage.'
