Local information and experience is critical to being able to effectively manage and deliver Commonwealth environmental water. We are very grateful for the expertise, advice, feedback and support provided by our delivery partners, environmental water holders, members of our advisory panels, regional advisory groups who invite us to participate in their processes, and the many landowners who work with us to plan, manage and monitor the use of environmental water in the Basin.
Your suggestions for environmental watering
Individuals and groups within the Basin community are encouraged to submit suggestions for the use of Commonwealth environmental water. This includes, but is not limited to, catchment management authorities, not-for-profit organisations, community groups, Indigenous organisations, and landholders. More information on how to submit your suggestion is available from the Your suggestions web page.
Local Engagement Officers
On 6 February 2013 Water Minister Tony Burke announced the Gillard Government will recruit specialised local staff to work with the community to help restore the Basin to health.
Up to six Commonwealth Environmental Water Local Engagement Officers will be based in regional communities across the Basin and work with local people to determine how best to use the environmental water outlined in the Basin Plan. For more information see the Minister's press release:
Seeking expressions of interest from potential hosting organisations
The Commonwealth Environmental Water Office is seeking expressions of interest from organisations located within the Murray-Darling Basin to host a local engagement officer.
Preferred hosting organisations are those that are involved in water management or related activities, including environmental conservation or agriculture. These include:
catchment management authorities and natural resource management boards
state government agencies
Other potential hosts who may benefit from a closer relationship with Commonwealth Environmental Water Office may also submit an expression of interest, including:
water management organisations and water infrastructure operators
industry, environmental and community organisations
local governments
The Commonwealth Environmental Water Office has written to preferred hosting organisations that it has identified, but welcomes enquiries from other potential hosts. Information on the eligibility and selection criteria and the process for selecting a hosting organisation is available by emailing us at ewater@environment.gov.au. The Commonwealth Environmental Water Office is seeking expressions of interest by 12 April 2013.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following 'Questions and Answers' also provide more information about the Local Engagement Officers.
Click on the heading text to expand or collapse each item or use the links below. Collapse all | Expand all
What are Local Engagement Officers and what do they do?
Local Engagement Officers will be staff members of the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office. They will be recruited by the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office in regional locations of the Basin to work with local communities on the management of Commonwealth environmental water.
Local Engagement Officers will work directly with people in Basin communities, seeking their views on options for the use, delivery, monitoring and communication of results of Commonwealth environmental water.
Local Engagement Officers will provide this information to the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office so that local knowledge and views are taken into account in environmental water management decisions.
Local Engagement Officers may also assist locals to develop water use proposals for consideration by the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office.
The Officers will be active, visible and approachable in areas of the Basin, and will provide local communities with greater access to information about Commonwealth environmental water.
The Local Engagement Officers will complement the existing stakeholder engagement activities of the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office.
How many Local Engagement Officers will there be, and where will they be located?
The Commonwealth Environmental Water Office plans to employ up to six Local Engagement Officers.
The Commonwealth Environmental Water Office would like to place Local Engagement Officers within each Basin state (South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland) and will be seeking interest from relevant organisations within those states to assist in hosting these officers.
The final number and location of Local Engagement Officers will be decided based on responses to the hosting requests.
When will the Local Engagement Officers commence work?
Recruitment of Local Engagement Officers will occur in 2013, once hosting arrangements have been finalised.
What types of organisations are eligible to bid to host a Local Engagement Officer?
Commonwealth, state or local government water management, conservation or agricultural agencies are preferred hosting organisations.
All hosting organisations must be located within the Basin.
Non-government organisations with links to water management will be considered on merit provided they meet minimum eligibility requirements.
An invitation for an expression of interest, identifying eligibility and selection criteria and assessment processes, will be provided to relevant organisations and those interested in hosting a Local Engagement Officer.
Why are Local Engagement Officers required?
Local Engagement Officers will help provide opportunities for local communities to bring forward options for environmental water use and seek feedback from locals on water management issues.
There is much to gain from drawing on local knowledge and perspectives when making environmental water management decisions. The Local Engagement Officers will help to feed local information into catchment and Basin scale environmental watering decisions, so that these decisions are made based on the best available information.
Will the Local Engagement Officers duplicate or replace roles already filled by state governments or local groups?
No. Local Engagement Officers will support the good work already being done by others in the catchments.
The Local Engagement Officers will work within and build upon existing arrangements for community engagement.
How will organisations benefit from hosting a Local Engagement Officer?
Hosting a Local Engagement Officer will establish a partnership between the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office and the hosting organisation that benefits and maximises the environmental objectives of both organisations. Hosting a Local Engagement Officer in your town provides flow on benefits to the entire local community by helping them to be part of achieving a sustainable environment.
What is the program budget?
The Australian Government has committed $5 million over seven years to the program (2012-13 to
2018-19).
Are Canberra staff being relocated?
No. These are new positions, to be filled by local people who have the right skills and on-ground experience to achieve positive outcomes in their region.
What about catchments that do not have a Local Engagement Officer?
Local Engagement Officers will be assigned to regions which will incorporate one or more Basin catchments. The Local Engagement Officer will regularly visit all assigned catchments and major centres in their region to ensure that each local community has opportunities to engage.
Staff from the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office in Canberra will also continue to meet with stakeholders in the Basin.
How can I get in contact with my Local Engagement Officer?
Contact information, including email, phone and physical address, will be made available by the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office once hosting arrangements have been finalised and the Local Engagement Officers have commenced.
Where can I apply to become a Local Engagement Officer?
Once hosting arrangements have been finalised, positions will be advertised in local media, through the Australian Public Service Gazette, and on the DSEWPaC website.
What level or pay rate will the Local Engagement Officer's be employed at?
The Local Engagement Officer's will be employed at the Australian Public Service 6 level as per the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities Enterprise Agreement 2011-14. (Salary starting from $76, 224)
How will the Local Engagement Officers work with Canberra-based Commonwealth Environmental Water Office staff?
Local Engagement Officers are a new resource for the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office. They will work closely with Canberra staff to help enable local views and knowledge to be incorporated into environmental water management decisions.
Local Engagement Officers may assist with some supporting tasks relating to the core functions of the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office, such as providing information which contributes to watering options and decisions, informing communities of environmental water use actions, supporting monitoring and evaluation, and producing and contributing to communications materials.
They may assist locals to develop water use proposals for consideration by the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office.
Local Engagement Officers will not be responsible for water use decisions. This function will continue to be fulfilled by the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder.
Commonwealth Environmental Water Office staff will also continue to liaise with Basin stakeholders.
How will Local Engagement Officers work with state staff?
Local Engagement Officers will work with environmental and water managers in ways that facilitate their work through sharing information and knowledge, and where appropriate coordinating functions so that we can maximise environmental outcomes.
What kind of people are you looking for to become a Local Engagement Officer?
The Commonwealth Environmental Water Office is looking for experienced and skilled people from the local community to fill the Local Engagement Officer positions.
The Officers will need to demonstrate experience in areas such as water management, biodiversity conservation, irrigation and agriculture, as well as knowledge of issues which are important in their region.
Officers will need to demonstrate experience in working with a variety of stakeholders including governments and Ministers, industry, environmental representatives and local community groups to achieve outcomes.
Good written and oral communication skills, as well as representation and negotiation skills, will be essential. Local Engagement Officers in some regions may also require specialist technical skills in science or administration to ensure that the specific needs of that region are met.
