2.3 WHAT OUR COMMUNITY TOLD US 2.3.1 Community Values In the values survey completed by 122 participants, the three top values identified were: • Healthy aquatic ecosystems • Visual amenity • Cultural and spiritual value. Thematic analysis of responses at our community workshops found the following key themes:
Environmental Values: “water is life” • River Health: healthy aquatic and riparian ecosystems and good water quality underpin all other uses.
“Water is life... we share the river as a central part of the wild ecosystem that provides habitat for us and all wildlife from iconic animals to tiniest microbes.”
• Plants and wildlife – biodiverse habitats for the full suite of flora and fauna communities.
Social Values: “it’s my happy place” • Sensory experiences: connecting to nature in wild spaces. • Sanctuary and peace. • Stories and history –cultural connections to the river and estuary for the Aboriginal community and settlers across multiple generations.
“Connecting to nature and myself, watching and experiencing animal and plant life, amazing sunsets, moon-rises and skies!”
• Great Outdoors – recreational use for fun, fitness and well-being.
Economic Values: “the river provides” • Livelihoods: The Manning is a “working river” supporting primary production – oysters, dairy and beef.
“There’s a deep sense of history – childhood days, parents, grandparents, greatgrandparents who have farmed this land, lived, worked and relaxed along the river.”
Manning River Estuary and Catchment Management Program (ECMP)
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