CORPORATE CATCHMENT CARERS' INFORMATION NIGHT

Prior to the Congress, the Corporate Catchment Carers attended an information night to explain their involvement in the Congress. Guest speakers provided information on the current predicament of the waterways, the importance of community and industry involvement and the industry 'team' approach that has been so successful overseas and interstate.

THE CONGRESS

The Congress facilitators, Sue and Colin Lennox from Oz GREEN, provided a thorough insight into the issues impacting on the local environment. They inspired everyone by showing their Swatcha Ganga (Clean Ganges) campaign in Varanasi, India. This global perspective provided hope for our own local waterways and identified ways in which every community can make a difference.

Guest speaker Mary White, the author of the book ‘Listen our Land is Crying’, provided a holistic overview of the current impacts facing Australian ecosystems. She identified many issues affecting land and water, and emphasised the need to lobby governments to implement far-reaching and long term conservation strategies.

THE RUNNING SCHEDULE

In the spirit of co-operation between Councils and community, the Mayors of Manly and Warringah Councils opened proceedings. Over one hundred people, including State and Federal MPs attended the Congress.

Oz GREEN structured the day to be fun and interactive, designed to promote a personal insight into water quality. Their success was highlighted by their ability to sustain the attention of all age groups from 7 to 70 years on complex issues. In small groups the Congress participants were asked to give their opinions on water quality issues and their visions on how problems could be addressed. The groups were asked how our creeks have changed over the last 50 years and how we could reverse this trend.

At the end of the day the schools and industry groups presented their action plans to representatives of the Department of Land and Water Conservation, Environment Protection Authority, Department of School Education, local industry, local Councils and the community. Their presentations included their fears and hopes for the future, how to implement their action plans and how to stop the constant degradation of our waterways.

For more information about student environmental congresses contact Oz GREEN. Also available from Oz GREEN is the 'Water is Life' Environmental Congress Manual.