Water was on the agenda when a delegation from the Indonesian Consulate General met with members of Gibsons council and Town staff on Oct. 26
The four-member Indo-nesian delegation came to the Town to talk about water resources, as well as future opportunities between Gibsons and Sampang Regency, located on Madura Island, East Java.
Included in the group were Arief bin Muhammad, the consul for economic affairs; Agung Cahaya Sumirat, consul for infor-mation, social and cul-tural affairs; Tjiptohadi Sawarjuwono, Airlangga University School of Economics and Business; and Helen Cruz, of AMEC Engineering in Calgary.
The visit included a discussion about Gibsons' experience with water systems, conservation initiatives and water management.
Sampang Regency is currently struggling with its lack of water supply - which is required to increase its agricultural sector, particularly with corn production - and water storage as the region experiences lengthy dry seasons.
"I find the information on water management in Gibsons to be very interesting and useful for reference to our colleagues in Indonesia," said Muhammad.
Mayor Barry Janyk said he was pleased the Town's work on water conservation, aquifer mapping and progressive initiatives like Gibsons' water metering program had been recognized and that "they provide the motivation for other jurisdictions to visit the Sunshine Coast and learn about the innovative measures we have taken to preserve the environment and the aquifer that supplies our residents and businesses with great water."
He added the Town is looking forward to further meetings in the next few months that will now focus on cultural and regional economic development potential.
The parent company of Howe Sound Pulp and Paper is Sinar Mas of Indonesia.
- Submitted
