THEY are one of the groups we turn to when the Condamine River floods, turns an odd colour or needs a clean-up but what exactly is the Warwick Shire River Improvement Trust, who is on it and how can you get involved?

It was originally known as the Allora River Improvement Trust, which was established in the late 1940s and was one of the first trusts to exist under the River Improvement Trust Act 1940.

This River Trust was renamed the Condamine River Trust, which later amalgamated with the Glengallan RIT and Rosenthal RIT to become the Warwick Shire RIT in the mid 1990s.

The Warwick River Trust reports to the State Government through the Minister for Natural Resources and Mines.

A spokesman from the Department of Natural Resources and Mines said the Southern Downs Regional Council acts on behalf of the community to support the Warwick Shire RIT financially, administratively and operationally.

"The State Government currently provides some limited financial support to trusts through a grant to the State Council of River Trusts," he said.

"The Warwick Shire RIT is a statutory body charged with the responsibility for the protection and improvement of streams and mitigation of flooding within its proclaimed area."

There are currently four members of the group; chairperson David Brown, and members Southern Downs deputy mayor Ross Bartley, councillor Cameron Gow and Ian Mapes.

The trust meets four times a year, with members paid for each meeting.

The spokesman said the Warwick Shire RIT was the instigator of the Condamine River and Tributaries Flood Study.

"This flood study led to the creation of a flood model for the Condamine River, covering townships such as Killarney, Warwick, Emu Vale and Allora," he said.

"The priority issues for the trust will continue to be the management of nuisance and exotic vegetation within riparian zones, the maintenance of stream-flow capacity, the control of breakouts, erosion control protection of public infrastructure, flood mitigation and revegetation of highly degraded areas."

The Warwick Shire RIT is currently taking expressions of interest for a chairperson and new community members.

Applications must be in by tomorrow.

To apply phone the manager of Water Services South Region, Jim Weller, on 4529 1397.