His invite to the Murray region was sent on Tuesday.
The Murray Regional Strategy Group, which represents various farming, community and Indigenous organisations, has invited Mr Anderson to ‘‘meet with representatives of MRSG to discuss concerns within the region’’.
MRSG chair Geoff Moar said the group had been working hard to improve and build relationships with the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, under which the water portfolio falls, and hopes this can continue with Mr Anderson as minister.
In its letter, MRSG congratulated Mr Anderson on his appointment and explained that it is a ‘‘coalition of water user groups from across the New South Wales Murray Valley who all share the same intent — to ensure equity and fairness in government policy and decision making about water use and availability in the southern Murray-Darling Basin’’.
‘‘Our aim is simple yet powerful: to enhance decision making by empowering policy makers with genuine local knowledge and expertise,’’ Mr Moar said.
‘‘We believe that by connecting decision-makers with the lived experience of Murray Valley water users, including our Traditional Owners, we can avoid costly mistakes to government and those which may compromise our future and that of future generations.
‘‘MRSG wishes to extend an invitation to you to visit our region, see our precious resources and meet with representatives from MRSG.’’
Mr Moar added the group wants to form ‘‘an engagement framework with New South Wales to co-design solutions which protect the environment’’, and provided Mr Anderson with its co-design framework, which it has been working through with DPIE and Water Infrastructure NSW.
Mr Moar explained that the NSW Murray was the region most affected by the Murray-Darling Basin Plan and other water policy decisions.
‘‘We are seeking to build on our relationship with the New South Wales Government to strengthen the state’s economy and relieve the social pressures on our rural communities,” Mr Moar said in the letter.
‘‘We eagerly wait for a reply to our invitation to visit the Murray Valley region and discuss the opportunities to strengthen relationships with the New South Wales Government.’’