City of Greater Shepparton

City of Greater Shepparton

URL: http://www.greatershepparton.com.au/residents/cultureandcommunitystrengthening/riverconnect/

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RiverConnect

RiverConnect aspires to see the Goulburn and Broken Rivers duly recognised as the life and soul of the Shepparton-Mooroopna communities.

The RiverConnect Project seeks to capitalise on the Goulburn-Broken River system in the heart of the Shepparton and Mooroopna urban areas and to identify how these communities can increase their appreciation and custodianship of the Goulburn and Broken River system as a social, economic, environmental, educational and cultural asset. 

A Strategic Plan has been developed with careful consideration to the needs of the community through partner agency, stakeholder and community consultation. It received endorsement at the May 2011 Council meeting. This plan establishes a vision for the future of the RiverConnect project and identifies a range of actions that will be undertaken to achieve this vision.

The Strategic Plan is by no means a blueprint for all future actions and many of the actions in the plan will need further investigation.

The Mission of the RiverConnect Project is to create a vibrant, more cohesive Greater Shepparton community through developing a strong sense of belonging and connection to our rivers. We will achieve this by understanding and enhancing the environmental, cultural, recreational and economic value of the rivers.

The vision for the Shepparton and Mooroopna areas in 2020, when the RiverConnect programs have been implemented, is summarised below:

• Shepparton and Mooroopna will be widely recognised as river towns where features of living here include:
• a thriving natural environment
• a connection with that environment
• a culture that is enriched by the traditional owners' connection with the area

People value and respect our rivers and floodplains, whilst using them as part of their daily lives for recreation, relaxation and education. The community, government and land managers, together with the traditional owners, work in partnership to protect and enhance the value of our rivers.

RiverConnect is a community project with many partners under the auspices of the council's Culture and Community Strengthening Department.

The four main objectives of RiverConnect are:

• Connecting Community;
• Connecting Environment;
• Connecting Aboriginal People; and
• Connecting Education.

For more information on the RiverConnect projects and events contact Council's Culture and Community Strengthening branch on 5832 9714 or email riverconnect@shepparton.vic.gov.au