Local Government Role in Salinity Management
Abstract
Much more attention is now focussing on salinity. Local Government, as the closest level of government to communities, has a role to play in helping manage it. However, Local Government in many cases may not be suitably equipped, and so councils should conduct their research before committing ratepayers money. The central issue for councils is to determine how they can best contribute to overall salinity management. The following points may help to identify the council role:
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Dryland and Irrigation salinity - Understanding the differences, particularly the different approaches to management
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Infrastructure impacts and the management thereof.
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The liabilities the council may be facing for infrastructure they are responsible for.
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The need to work with Regional Programs to ensure that the various arms of government agree on their roles and are able to integrate their actions.
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The potential roles and limitations of Planning scheme mechanisms.
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Whether the rates system can be used to achieve change.
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The benefits for regional economies and communities of integrated salinity management.
Just as individuals have differing levels of awareness and understanding about salinity, so too do Councils. It is important that any Council seeking to ‘jump onto the salinity band-wagon’ should have a clear understanding of the issue they face. There is therefore significant value in determining where the council can make the greatest contribution by thoroughly understanding what the issue is, who is already doing what and where the council can make best use of its resources and legislative powers.