The Government has released its draft Murray and Mallee Region Plan for consultation, with councils and business groups in the area now reviewing the document.

The plan sets out visions for the future of the region, including strategies to maximise water efficiency, building a power generation industry and continuing to strengthen existing industries and the region’s heritage.

“The region plan aims to ensure the long-term economic and environmental sustainability of the Murray and Mallee’s key agriculture and horticulture industries,” Mr Holloway said.

“The plan not only encourages local industries to adapt to changes in weather conditions and water availability, but also seeks to protect and preserved environmental assets such as coastal habitats, wetlands and the River Murray.”

Coorong District Council development and environmental services manager Tim Tol and Regional Development Australia Murray-lands and Riverland chief executive Brenton Lewis said they were both yet to fully digest the document, but were happy to see it had finally been released.

Mr Tol welcomed the release of the updated strategy for the region’s development and said it paved the way for the council to proceed with its own development strategies.

Mr Lewis said the former Murraylands Regional Develop-ment Board had contributed extensively to the drafting of the regional plan and he looked forward to reviewing it.

“We will be reviewing and commenting on the document,” he said.