Community representatives at the recent combined meetings in Longreach were unanimous about two things: maintaining independence and identity through incorporation; and throwing their full support behind the regional process.

The joint meeting of the Lake Eyre Basin Coordinating Group and the catchment committees for the Georgina Diamantina and Cooper Creek was held in Longreach on 20th November. Around 50 members and observers participated in a discussion that was at times robust, at times emotional. There were no dissenters, however, when it came to the final decision: their Lake Eyre Basin process will remain. It will provide the catchment committees with umbrella incorporation, maintain a single, basin-wide view, and be at the ready to make the most of possible corporate, philanthropic or non-NHT2 government funding.

There was no dissent either on the regional natural resource management funding delivery process.

“We need to put our full support behind the state-based regional process and make sure it delivers on the ground,” said Coordinating Group Chair, David Lord.

“It’s up to us to make it work, and we can make it work.

“The goodwill and commitment is there in the community, the government and the regional bodies. People are tired of being paralysed by uncertainty; they’re excited about getting back to the purpose of it all; of working together and getting things done.”

The state-based regional process is a result of the change in the way NHT money is invested at ground level; a cross-border entity like the Lake Eyre Basin Coordinating Group is not eligible for core funding through this process.