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Engaging Industry and Businesses

Within the MDB, there is a vast array of stakeholders who could broadly be defined as ‘industry’.  This term encapsulates any business, large or small with relevance to management of rivers, water and fish. While there was specific engagement with the irrigation industry, there are also a variety of examples of engagement with other industry groups.

The NFS recognised that industry engagement could cover local, regional, state and federal scales.  Several Community Stakeholder Taskforce members who had particularly strong connections to industry with angling interests such as tackle shops and tourism ventures, were able to connect strongly with regional industry representatives. In addition to giving regular presentations about the NFS and attending local meetings, they would make contact during regional NFS tours and National Fish Awareness week events. Larger scale engagement included a presentation by CST member Peter Taylor to the Australian Fishing Trade Association, a group that runs wholesalers of fishing tackle.

Providing NFS material to a vast array of tackle shops, caravan parks, paddle steamers, cruise boats and house boat businesses was a valuable method of promoting the NFS to a wide audience. Such businesses were often keen to access information to aid their commentaries of highlighting local environmental values.

The mining industry has also been involved in NFS activities. The Namoi Demonstration Reach established partnerships with mining companies that have operations within its boundaries. Partnerships have resulted in onground outcomes on mining properties including riparian fencing and revegetation, supply of logs for resnagging activities, sponsorship of community events including carp musters, and funding and assistance with aquatic habitat mapping exercises. Future partnership opportunities with a focus on achieving greater onground habitat outcomes continue to be explored. The Qld NFS Coordinator has also been involved in identifying assets in mining areas within the federal and state government planning framework.  The suite of stakeholders and partners of the Dewfish Demonstration Reach include the mining industry, large pastoral companies and a large engineering company. They have contributed funding to fencing creek frontages, revegetation and upgrading the Loudoun Weir Fishway.

There were also other examples of engagement with industries including vineyards. At Tahbilk Lagoon, an integrated aquatic and riparian rehabilitation program is underway, including preparation of a Carp Management Plan and improvement of fish passage between the lagoon and the Goulburn River. The Tahbilk Winery Pty Ltd is a key participant in this program which also includes a wide variety of stakeholders.