The newly formed Gippsland Lakes Coordinating Committee recently met for the first time to begin their work to oversee the delivery of the next round of projects to benefit the health of the Gippsland Lakes Ramsar wetland.
The committee comprises two returning and five new community members with Eric Sjerp as chair. Community members returning include Jessica Reeves and Christine Wrench. They are joined by the newly appointed Charles Solomon, Chris Barry, Joanna Rule and William Runciman. The committee also includes partner agency representatives from Parks Victoria, Gippsland Ports, GLaWAC, East Gippsland and West Gippsland CMAs.
“The depth of skill and knowledge around the table is immense,” chair Eric Sjerp said, who acknowledged the work of the previous Committee and outgoing chair, Glenys Watts.
The Love our Lakes team members briefed the committee on proposed projects to be considered based on the Gippsland Lakes Priorities Plan 2025-2028. The Committee’s key goals are to oversee programs that:
– Maintain or improve the health of the Gippsland Lakes now and for the future.
– Foster cooperation and coordination between communities, agencies and organisations.
– Promote awareness of and participation by communities in the management of the Gippsland Lakes.
– Maximise outcomes for the Gippsland Lakes through leveraging investments.
– Empower Traditional Owners through joint management and self-determination, supporting capacity building and involvement in management of the Gippsland Lakes.
“Work is continuing across the catchment to improve the health of the Lakes. The committee is focused on ensuring collaboration and coordination between all land managers to achieve the best outcomes for the Lakes,” Sjerp said.
The Committee will oversee the Labor Government’s $6 million investment to continue improving the health of the Lakes through management, improving facilities and community engagement.
This builds on $20 million of investment since the Committee’s establishment in 2015 to deliver important environmental outcomes – from protecting threatened species and creating new fish and frog habitats, to installing seagrass-friendly moorings, restoring sand dunes, and improving waterways for wildlife.
