Advisory Committee Members

Call for community nominations - Lachlan Environmental Water Advisory Group.

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water invites members of the community to apply for membership positions for the Lachlan Environmental Water Advisory Group. The Environmental Water Advisory Group is convened by the Biodiversity and Conservation Division of the department.

The Lachlan Environmental Water Advisory Group (EWAG) provides advice to the department on the use of water for the environment in the Lachlan Valley for its water-dependant ecosystems. An Environmental Water Advisory Group may include water managers, recreational fishers, landholders, Indigenous groups, independent scientists and a variety of partner agencies.

Suitable applicants will contribute their local knowledge and relevant experience to guide the beneficial use of water for the environment. Environmental Water Advisory Group members will actively participate, providing information, analysis and recommendations from their vantage point in the local community or representing a stakeholder group, to assist environmental water managers with annual watering priorities, adaptive management and implementation of the Murray Darling Basin Plan.

Specific skills and knowledge sought includes:

  • Indigenous knowledge
  • floodplain and wetland management
  • water management
  • local knowledge of the Lachlan floodplain and wetlands including ecology
  • related community interests.

Successful applicants will be appointed for a term of up to 5 years. The Environmental Water Advisory Group is expected to meet on 4 occasions annually, with additional field trips conducted on occasion.

Environmental Water Advisory Group memberships are not paid appointments. However, in line with the Terms of Reference, members are compensated for their time and related expenses, including travel, accommodation and meals. The daily sitting fee is $220, and private vehicle mileage is paid at the standard government rate.

Member position description for the Lachlan Environmental Water Advisory Group

The Lachlan Environmental Water Advisory Group (EWAG) is a committee formed under Section 388 of the Water Management Act 2000 and referenced by the Lachlan Water Sharing Plan. The Lachlan Environmental Water Advisory Group's focus is the regulated river and wetlands within the Lachlan valley. The Lachlan Environmental Water Advisory Group's purpose is to provide advice to the Minister for the Environment, or their delegate, on the management of environmental water to maximise ecological benefits.

Purpose of the role

A Lachlan Environmental Water Advisory Group member's purpose is to contribute their knowledge and experience relating to the group's overall objective of providing water for the environment. Members should participate actively by providing information, analysis and recommendations from their vantage point in the local community or stakeholder group to assist environmental water managers in making adaptive decisions. Membership is based on representation in an ex officio capacity or as a community volunteer. This applies to all ordinary members of the group.

Key responsibilities

  • Commitment to achieving the Lachlan Environmental Water Advisory Group's objectives.
  • Gather relevant information to inform inputs on behalf of a group or interest.
  • Attend meetings to contribute to the consideration, discussion and deliberation of meeting topics.
  • Contribute to formulating objectives, priorities, risks and strategies for environmental watering.
  • Relay environmental watering information to interested people or organisations.
  • Contribute to the smooth operation of the committee by adhering to agreed procedures.
  • Review documentation between meetings, when necessary.
  • Communicate with the Chair and/or Executive Officer between meetings, when necessary.
  • Ability and willingness to attend meetings 2 to 4 times per year, which may include regional travel (community member costs will be met). This should not preclude community members with responsibility as caregivers.

Key challenges

  • Considering and respecting the views of others to maintain an inclusive and collaborative approach
  • Collating and considering information on a highly technical and complex topic
  • Articulating Lachlan Environmental Water Advisory Group decisions to a broader community
  • Developing and maintaining an awareness of social, institutional, political and ecological issues relevant to local wetlands, water quality and river flows.

Key relationships

Internal Chairperson
  • Chairs Lachlan Environmental Water Advisory Group meetings
  • Responsible for ensuring member participation and performance
Executive Officer
  • Manages Lachlan Environmental Water Advisory Group administrative business and logistics
  • First point of communication
  • Manages collection and dissemination of information
Lachlan Environmental Water Advisory Group Members and Alternatives
  • Participate on equal terms to consolidate, deliberate and develop advice
  • Strive to reach consensus in advice
Lachlan Environmental Water Advisory Group Observers
  • Participate in meetings as a guest, but doesn’t participate in decision-making
External Entity or community the position represents
  • Gather and consolidate views on matters related to the work of the Lachlan Environmental Water Advisory Group for referral at meetings, or beforehand directly to the Executive
  • Act as a conduit for information from the Lachlan Environmental Water Advisory Group, when necessary

Capabilities for the role

An Lachlan Environmental Water Advisory Group Member should be able to, or aspire to develop skills and knowledge to:

  • communicate effectively, including the ability to listen attentively to others, absorb alternative points of view and articulate a message
  • analyse information and arguments, think critically and objectively about a complex problem
  • exhibit goodwill and support an inclusive and collaborative approach
  • employ appropriate interpersonal skills to ensure meetings and discussions are polite and constructive
  • understand and manage conflicts of interest
  • liaise broadly with their own constituency and represent them effectively
  • work towards an objective as part of a team
  • actively assist the Lachlan Environmental Water Advisory Group Chairperson and Executive Officer with the challenging job of achieving complex decision-making by consensus
  • understand the role of water for local and regional communities and their environments
  • understand the NSW water management system, including water sharing plans, policies and the Murray-Darling Basin Plan
  • understand the roles of agencies and community groups in the Lachlan Environmental Water Advisory Group – where they fit, who they represent and their perspectives.

Completed application forms accompanied by a curriculum vitae must be submitted by 5 pm 21 October 2024.

Information submitted on this form, including any personal details will be a matter of public record and will be stored in the NSW Government records system by the of Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. You can find out more about how the department handles the personal information it collects online by reading the department’s Privacy Management Plan. By submitting this form, you consent to the collection and use of your personal information in accordance with this plan.

If you have any questions regarding this application or would like assistance to complete your application, please email ewag@environment.nsw.gov.au

The information you provide in this form will only be used for the purpose for which it was collected. By submitting, you consent to storage, use, and disclosure of your personal information in accordance with our privacy policy. You can request access and amendment of your personal information.