Why is there a group called the River Murray Urban Users Committee?
The health of the River Murray is declining due to over extraction of water, pollution, unsustainable land management, invasion of feral plants and animals and clearing of native vegetation.
The River Murray Urban Users Committee is one of eleven local action planning groups addressing natural resource management issues in the Murray-Darling Basin in South Australia to help to preserve and restore the health of the River Murray. Local action planning is an initiative that enables the local community to determine priorities for action that will address natural resource management issues in the South Australian Murray-Darling Basin.
What does the River Murray Urban Users Committee do?
The RMUUC is a community group working with Government, other community groups, non-government organisations, individuals and businesses to address the issues of concern in the urban users region. A Management Committee directs the work of the group and a Project Manager is employed to facilitate this work. Check out the
River Murray Urban Users Region Local Action Plan to see the strategies and actions. Check out the Annual Reports to see our achievements.
Can I help the RMUUC in any way?
We encourage the community, government agencies, business and organisations to invest and assist in existing projects, or in developing new projects that increase awareness of River Murray and Murray-Darling Basin issues. Investment includes in-kind (your time and energy), sponsorship and/or financial contributions.
All residents and businesses in the urban users region are encouraged to become involved in decreasing their impact on the Murray-Darling Basin through conserving water in their homes/businesses. By using alternative water sources, and behaving appropriately when visiting the Murray i.e. "take photos - leave foot prints" and telling others about how they can help. Check out the
WaterWise Fact Sheets section for ideas about how you can help.
What are the origins of the River Murray Urban Users Committee?
Since the early 1990s, the South Australian Government has supported the position of a Project Manager, under various funding programs, to coordinate projects that educate and increase awareness about the Murray-Darling Basin, targeting the urban community. During most of this time a committee has been involved in directing the work of the Project Manager.
This committee evolved and became the River Murray Urban Users Committee in 1995. The Committee released a Regional Strategy in 1996 and subsequently has become a local action planning group under the Community Action for the Rural Environment (CARE) program. The River Murray Urban Users Local Action Planning Committee became incorporated in February 1998. The group is unique, as it is the only local action planning group based outside the South Australian Murray-Darling Basin.
What is local action planning?
Local action planning is an initiative that enables the local community to determine priorities for action that will address natural resource management issues in the South Australian Murray-Darling Basin. A local action plan (LAP) is a business plan for natural resource management. It identifies and prioritises specific actions that will address each identified issue relevant to an area.
Local action planning is an ongoing process and the LAP is an active and evolving document. RMUUC is one of eleven Local Action Planning Groups that have been established to address local natural resource management issues relevant to the South Australian Murray Darling Basin from a community perspective.
Which organisations fund the River Murray Urban Users Committee?
The work of the Committee has been funded by the Murray Darling 2001 program under the Natural Heritage Trust since 1996. The Committee and its Project Manager are funded by the Natural Resource Management Board, South Australia Murray Darling Basin Management Board and the Federal Government (Australian School Innovation in Science, Technology and Mathematics (ASISTM). There are many organisations involved in the projects managed by the Committee. The River Murray Urban Users Committee includes the wider community and organisations involved in action that helps to save the River Murray.
Is the RMUUC a Government agency?
The RMUUC is not a Government agency. The RMUUC is a not-for-profit Community based incorporated association.
What is an Incorporated Association?
An incorporated Association under the Associations Incorporation Act 1985. Incorporation creates a legal entity that is separate from the individual members. Members of unincorporated bodies face the possibility of being sued as individuals. Incorporation provides a certain amount of limited liability for members, as long as they follow accepted business and community standards. Incorporation is voluntary.
Incorporation also allows the association to:
- continue regardless of changes to membership,
- enter into and enforce contracts including the power to hold, acquire and deal with property, and
- sue or be sued.
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