SOUTH WEST NRM LTD Annual Report · SOUTH WEST NRM LTD Annual Report 05_06.indd 1 17/11/2006...

Annual Report

2005 - 2006

SOUTH WEST NRM LTD

Annual Report 05_06.indd 1 17/11/2006 11:53:54 AM

a message from the chairWelcome to South West NRM Ltd’s Annual report.

Another eventful term for myself as chair of South West NRM Ltd.

Our region still is experiencing difficult climatic conditions and this impacts heavily on the ability of our team to deliver on ground as identified in South West NRM Ltd’s Regional Investment Strategy.

Progress however has been made thanks to a dedicated team of staff, an enthusiastic, hard working and cohesive board, and the community endeavouring to maintain econom-ic and sustainable development while still surviving exceptional drought conditions.

My congratulations to all concerned. May the future deliver a strengthening of our part-nerships and continued community driven economically sustainable development.

Cheers Tom.


South West NRM Ltd Annual Report 2005 - 2006

Copyright © South West NRM Ltd, 2006

No part of this publication may be reproduced, by any means whatsoever, without the express prior permission of

the publisher.

Published by:South West NRM Ltd

PO Box 63066 Galatea St

Charleville QLD 4470Email: [email protected]

Web: www.southwestnrm.org.au

Design: Raelee BrierImages: South West NRM Ltd & Shutterstock


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South West NRM Ltd Profile 1

Reports chair’s report 2 chief executive officer’s report 3

The Board board profiles 5 meeting attendance 7 board reports 7

The Staff staff profiles 11

Highlights of 2005 - 2006 13

Case Studies indigenous group leading the way 14 larbey ladder 15

Regional Investment Strategy Review planscapes 18 futurescapes 19 communication, education and capacity building 20 policy and partnerships 20 landscape assessment and research 21 monitoring and evaluation 21 core costs 22

Additional Projects Review community landcare coordinator 24 spatial imagery project 24 understanding salinity 25 sustainable grazing practices 25 envirofund 26 growing our environmental appreciation 26 Financial Statements 27


prof

ileA strong commitment to community consultation and participation is demonstrated through the South West NRM Ltd Board of Directors, Community NRM Forums, focus groups and the development of the Regional Natural Resource Management Plan (NRM Plan).

The South West NRM Ltd region covers an area of over 187,000 square kilometres and is home to approximately 10,000 people.

The region covers four catchments, the Bulloo, Warrego, Paroo and Nebine-Mungallala-Wallam. The Warrego, Paroo and Nebine-Mungallala-Wallam catchments are part of the Murray Darling Basin, while the Bulloo River is an internally draining river system.

South West NRM Ltd is a community-managed, non-government company that supports rural people and communities in achieving sustainable natural resource management in south west Queensland.

The company is one of fifty-seven designated regional bodies across Australia and fourteen in Queensland formed under the requirements of the Australian Government and receives funding from the Natural Heritage Trust and the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality.

South West NRM Ltd was established to support practical action by landholders, community, Landcare groups, Traditional Owners, local government and Industry groups at a regional scale on one hand; and manage NRM investment from Australian and State governments on the other.

The key principle behind the regionalisation of natural resource management is that decisions should be made by people close to the source and the context of the issues to ensure environmental sustainability occurs in an economically, socially and culturally appropriate manner.

As a community-based company, South West NRM Ltd’s vision is reflective of its community values and priorities for natural resource management in the region.

The community working together to build a

healthy, sustainable, attractive and profitable south west Queensland,

through the effective management of our natural resources.

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WarregoCatchment

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reportschair’s report

I have pleasure to report that despite the difficulty of attracting and maintaining perma-nent staff combined with the extreme drought experienced by most of our region, South West NRM Ltd has still effectively delivered, or assisted in delivery, in the following areas:

PlanscapesFuturescapesEnvirofund

Capacity BuildingSpatial Imagery Project

Community Landcare CoordinatorUnderstanding Salinity

Sustainable Grazing Practices

We are however fully aware much more can and will be done with community based natural resource management within the South West NRM Ltd region.

Although broad acknowledgment has been received as to the future of funding from the State and Federal Governments for 2007/2008, budget forecasts indicate we will be able to operate until the allocation of new funds with minimal disruption to our business.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff and directors for their continued exuberance and support in what has been sometimes difficult circumstances.

I acknowledge the opportunity some staff have taken to pursue career opportunities in other areas. My special thanks go to John Targett, Renee Moore and Dan Ferguson. Their efforts and enthusiasm, technical skill and counsel will be missed by the whole community. We wish them good luck and good health.

Community based natural resource management outcomes can only happen if they are community driven. As is the case in our region, economically sustainable development is focused on rural production, thus as a community we will continue to demonstrate to those who would question our ability, that we manage our land with good environmental practices balancing production with the retention of biodiversity.

Communities of the Mulgalands can, on the whole, be proud of their efforts in maintain-ing biodiversity. Science supports that our landscape has been the least altered in the Rangelands despite being cultivated or grazed.

As Chair, I invite those of you we have yet to engage, those we hold up as our postcards and even those we may have disappointed, to join with us as together we endeavour to build a healthy, attractive and sustainable region through effective management of our natural resources.

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reportsceo’s report

The launch of the South West NRM Ltd Regional Investment Strategy (RIS) by the Hon. Vaughan Johnson in October 2005 signalled the start of progressing toward targets identified in the Regional Natural Resource Management (NRM) Plan for the Queensland Murray Darling Basin. Since then the company has taken considerable steps in creating an enduring role for community-directed NRM in South West Queensland.

The company’s flagship ‘PLANSCAPES’ programme, which is a workshop series aimed at instituting strategic management of natural resources at the sub-catchment scale, was undertaken by three landholder groups in the region during the first six months of the RIS period. The partnership with the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) to deliver the Meat and Livestock Australia programme, Grazing Land Management (GLM) for the Mulga Lands, in conjunction with PLANSCAPES, is now touted as a model for regional organisations in Queensland to achieve property and landscape environmental outcomes using the best available research capture, capacity building and planning mechanisms.

One of the continuing strengths of South West NRM Ltd is its commitment to investing in on-ground works to protect priority areas in the region. Round two of FUTURESCAPES saw significant investment allocated to twenty-eight projects and the surpassing of targets set for the protection of riparian areas and vegetation communities of high nature conservation value. A further seventeen projects were selected from action plans that contribute to sub-catchment scale targets set by PLANSCAPES groups.

The awareness of South West NRM Ltd activities has increased through initiatives such as information exchange days for remote communities, the regional newsletter ‘Three Rivers, Three Creeks’, with distribution to over 350 households, and increased publicity through radio and print media. A partnership with the Department of Natural Resources and Water (DNR&W) to provide workshops on wild dog management resulted in large attendances in training days. Sponsorship of the Mulga Awards and participation in various community events has greatly increased the awareness of South West NRM Ltd across the region.

The Far South West Aboriginal NRM Group has continued to provide a framework for Indigenous involvement in community NRM. The group has been active in implementing projects to protect areas of cultural and environmen-tal value to Aboriginal people in South West Queensland and in undertaking training to increase capacity to ensure ongoing involvement in community NRM. Likewise, partnerships with Local Government are building with projects involving water use efficiency, weed and pest control, creation of nature reserves and innovative ways to treat waste water being developed.

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Research projects have begun to decrease gaps in knowl-edge of key NRM issues. An externally funded (Social and Economic State Investment Program) project has enabled consultation with the community to increase under-standing of salinity in the Nebine / Mungallala / Wallam catchments. Integral to the future of the organisation is the continued updating of new information and build-ing knowledge so investment priorities for the regional community are recognised and managed at appropriate temporal and spatial scales.

South West NRM Ltd continues to contribute to a cross-regional approach for a consistent monitoring framework and has developed systems for ensuring timely and accountable project reporting and expenditure of funds. It is imperative that the collection of data and information on resource condition change as a result of NRM activities is accurately documented so to continue strategic invest-ment into the future.

Corporate planning and reviews of the organisational structure and function, including the establishment of a Finance Review Committee is improving the transparency in which the organisation conducts its operations. The Board of Directors has been at full strength for the initial phase of the investment period and continues to represent their community stakeholders and lead the strategic direc-tion of the company. The company has also attracted funds external from the RIS such as through Strategic Reserve (Spatial Imagery project), Envirofund and National Land-care Programmes.

South West NRM Ltd’s goals for the 2006 / 2007 year are simple.

To build on the platform created in the first year by continuing to meet outputs and milestones proposed in the RIS.

This means: maintaining community participation and engagement; ensur-ing a stable and effectively functioning team of profes-sional staff and company directors; to actively seek the most effective envi-ronmental outcomes with available investment and to monitor our progres-sion towards management action and resource condi-tion targets to demonstrate the value of this investment to all stakeholders.

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Tom GarrettIndependent Chairperson

Tom has extensive experience in natural resource manage-ment in the south west region and is a member of the Queensland Macropod and Wild Harvesters Association and the Queensland Rural Industry Training Council.

Tom has an advanced diploma in Rural Business Manage-ment (Agriculture) and a Diploma in Conservation Land Management (Vertebrate Pests). Tom is also a qualified Justice of the Peace.

E: [email protected]

Alan TraversLocal Government Sector Director

Alan has been involved with Local Government for a number of years and is currently serving as Deputy Mayor of the Paroo Shire Council. He is also a member of Queensland Water and Land Carers Incorporated which is the peak body representing natural resource management volunteers in Queensland.

Alan and his family are graziers from Cunnamulla in south west Queensland.

E [email protected]

Kent MorrisIndependent Vice Chairperson

Kent is a landowner in the Booringa Shire and operates a retail business in the town of Mitchell as well as working as a self-employed consultant. Kent grew up on a grazing property in the Mitchell district and has previously worked for Landmark as a livestock and property salesman and also has local government experience. Kent is President of the Mitchell Show Society and is a qualified Justice of the Peace. Kent also has extensive GIS and mapping experi-ence as well as vegetation management experience.


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Andrew SchmidtIndustry Sector Director

Andrew and his family have lived in the South West NRM Ltd region all of his life and runs a grazing property near Cunnamulla.

He is an active voice for sustainable natural resource management and has been a member of Landcare and catchment management for over ten years.

Andrew has provided valuable input into planning processes including the Leasehold Tree Clearing Review and the Regional Mulga Lands Vegetation Plan.


Maureen McKellarTraditional Owner Sector Director

Maureen is a Kunja Traditional Owner from the Cunnamulla region and has been a key player in the establishment of the Far South West Aboriginal NRM Group.


Jenny Richardson Community/Landcare Sector Director

Jenny & her husband Vin own and live on Leopardwood Park which is located North of Adavale on the Bulloo River.

Jenny has a strong interest in Landcare and Jenny and Vin have undertaken Landcare grants in the past in order to stem erosion on fragile frontage country of the Bulloo River.

Jenny and her husband also run a successful Earthmov-ing business in the Adavale district. Jenny is a Registered Nurse, Midwife and Child Health Nurse, with a Bachelor of Nursing. Jenny works for the General Practitioner in Quilpie on a part-time basis.


Natalie Fisher Conservation Sector Director

Natalie lives between her property on the Mungallala Creek, her family property at Goondiwindi and her part-ner’s property on the wetlands west of Moree. She is a director of her family company and is therefore involved in the various sectors of agriculture that each property specialises in, including organic farming.

Natalie is a financially contributing member of the Austral-ian Conservation Foundation. She is also a member of the assessment panel for sub-catchment plans for QMDC Border Rivers and a part time graphic stylist. Natalie is cur-rently studying a short course in Natural Resources and is near completion of a Bachelor of Social Science in Psychol-ogy and Sociology. E: [email protected]

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landcare - Jenny RichardsonI commenced the position of Community/Landcare Sector Director in February, 2006. In that time South West NRM Ltd has employed Angie Walton in the position of Land-care Facilitator.

Though she only started very recently, Angie has been busy sourcing contacts from Landcare groups throughout the south west region and ascertaining the level of activity that Landcare has. Currently Angie has located five active Landcare groups, one newly formed group and two which are currently inactive. Angie has been working directly with members from these groups to assist them to become more operational and active in the region.

As part of this assistance, South West NRM Ltd is encour-aging active Landcare groups to become involved in the PLANSCAPES/GLM program offered through the company. PLANSCAPES/GLM will assist groups in property planning and project formulation and also for assistance in accessing the available funding through the FUTURESCAPES program.Angie is aiming to run four Landcare member PLAN-SCAPES/GLM groups over the next 12 months to help reinvigorate the Landcare movement in the region.

I encourage anybody who is interested in forming a new Landcare group, becoming a member of a current group or is interested in participating in a PLANSCAPES/GLM group to contact myself or Angie at the South West NRM Ltd offices and we would love to help.

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attendanceTom

GarrettHelen Hall

Andrew Schmidt

Alan Travers Maureen McKellar

NatalieFisher

Jenny Richardson

Kent Morris

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2005/2006 board meetings

board membersreports


This past year has seen a strengthening of ties between Local Government and South West NRM Ltd. Linda Durham has recently filled the position of Local Govern-ment Support Officer and has been spending the last couple of months getting to know the many Shire Council staff members and Councillors in the region and attending Council meetings. A number of discussions have been generated regarding potential projects such as water wise initiatives and coral cactus eradication that will be further progressed over the coming year.

Many Councils have already been successful in accessing funding for natural resource management projects through the FUTURESCAPES program including a Parthenium eradication project by the Booringa Shire Council and pest management project by the Quilpie Shire Council. Booringa Shire Council undertook a project that was aimed at accelerating current eradication rates of Parthenuim weed by providing extra incentives for Land-holders to control and eradicate Parthenium. These incen-

local government - Alan Traverstives included elements such as chemical, labour subsides, and innovative grazing pressure from sheep and or goats. This project contained two stages and focussed on pro-tecting the flood plains north and south of Bollon that has become a major concern of landholders and interested parties.

The Quilpie Shire Council also benefited from FUTURES-CAPES funding to assist in the management of the wild dog population in the Shire. The purchase of a 20ft cold room has enabled cheaper meat to be sourced and stored for all landholders to use in between co-ordinated baiting campaigns. This feral animal eradication project has had an influence on over five million hectares of land since its inception.

I urge individual Councils to get more involved with South West NRM Ltd and talk to your Local Government Sup-port Officer about possible projects as the benefits can be extremely rewarding.

board members

The only thing that is constant is change…..

After my initial appointment to the board in May, I have found that my learning curve has been a steep one of mixed emotions and experiences. Having still to fully familiarise myself with the goings on and the scope of the organisation, I continue to be impressed by the range of projects and the dedication of our staff.

Participation in any organisation is the key, however the adverse seasonal conditions and the impact of certain legislation continue to be a hindrance to the organisation with some stake-holders still being hesitant to get involved. Despite this we have completed 3 funding rounds of our FUTURESCAPES programme and allocated a total of nearly two million dollars for on ground works within the region, while programmes such as Tracks to Trapping and PLANSCAPES have also provided some tangible and hands-on benefits for natural resource management.

The hosting of two Strategic Reserve projects by the region has helped to show that the organisa-tion has come of age and is now a serious player in the statewide field of natural resource man-

agement and is respected by its peers. Projects such as the Spatial Imagery project will empower stakeholders by providing state of the art up-to-date data to landholders to assist them in better managing their land.

While I have still been finding my feet, it has been a pleasure to contribute to the organisation with such activi-ties as my involvement as a panel member for a discus-sion forum at the state Landcare conference in Brisbane on Misconceptions of the Mulga Lands along with Carol Godfrey and Des Boyland and as an active supporter of the concept of natural resource management through such means as the promotion of our programmes.

The upcoming year will be a time of consolidation for the organisation with some concerns into the long term regarding our funding.

It has been a pleasure to work with such a dedicated, committed and trustworthy group of people as the board of directors and along with our capable and competent staff. The dynamics within the organisation is one that is robust and healthy and demonstrates the strength of the organisation. I look forward to the upcoming year with excitement, anticipation and the confidence to go forward knowing that there are only great things to come. vi

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Mungallala and then went on to Charleville to meet with our staff. After the visit, he said it certainly gave him a dif-ferent perspective on the issues faced by property manag-ers in the mulga lands. He is now in the process of lobby-ing WWF and ACF people to commit to a trip out in order for them to gain similar insights.

During the year our Board attends many teleconferences and meetings in order to oversee the running of South West NRM Ltd. We also like to make sure we are educated for our positions and in February I attended an MLA-fund-ed Women On Boards workshop together with women from boards all around the country to learn how to be an effective board member. In May we held our meeting at Mungallala and the board mixed with the community and received GPS training by our staff.

South West NRM Ltd has worked closely with government and other organisations such as EPA, Desert CRC, CSIRO, Land and Water Australia, NRW, DPI&F and the Carbon Store to contribute to initiatives such as:

• “Biodiversity Back on Track”, which assists in the prioritisation of Queensland’s native species to guide conservation and recovery management. This project will help regional bodies to make better informed decisions about on-ground investments.

• Opportunities for market based incentives for biodiversity conservation and retaining remnant wood land to offset carbon omissions

• Contributing to the Biodiversity Values and Functional Ecology of Regrowth Vegetation in Modified Landscapes

• Sustainable Management and Conservation of Grazing Lands in Queensland’s Rangelands with the development of the biodiversity/nature conservation module for the Mulga lands.

And finally as a personal contribution to the wider needs of conservation, at the end of this year, my property at Mungallala will be purchased by a new conservation organisation, the Queensland Trust For Nature. I will carry on managing this property until the QT4N creates several Nature Refuges over it and then offers it via auction to the public. This will see nearly 30,000 acres of Nature Refuge added to the south west region.

The past year has been a huge success for conser-vation sector awareness on a nation-wide scale. With global campaigners such as Al Gore and his Inconvenient Truth to David Suzuki and his need for us all to be part of the solution to create a bet-ter environment, every person in this country has become more aware of our environment over the past year. From the controversy of “Poo”woomba to the ongoing stories on drought, urban dwellers are being lead by the hand to take a good look at the environment. Luckily for us, we have the convenience of living in it. And here, along with all of you, South West NRM Ltd is working to help us make our environment healthier every day.

On that note, I would like to thank our staff for the wonderful jobs you all do and especially for all the extra efforts you put in each day. Your passion and enthusiasm for this company leads to real out-comes for our land, our region and our globe.

These real outcomes include for example, our recently rolled out Round Two of FUTURESCAPES. This saw twenty-eight projects funded and our targets for the protection of riparian areas and vegetation exceeded. With 200kms of riparian fencing and 36 off stream stock watering points, 18,285ac of riparian area was protected. Nearly 6000ac of high conservation value land was also protected, mostly under Voluntary Management Agreements which involve stakeholders utilising current land management recommended practices. Round Three of FUTURESCAPES has also just been assessed with almost $1 million of on-ground works being approved.

Our team at South West NRM Ltd this year have held informative forums, provided detailed edu-cation programs, promoted, advised, mapped, reported, teleconferenced, strengthened relation-ships with government agencies, managed and communicated all year to make these real out-comes happen in our region.

In order to further our links with the wider con-servation community, I invited Nigel Parrott from the Queensland Conservation Council out to visit our region to see first hand what land managers contend with in our area. Nigel had two property visits in the area, to Eversfield and Ulundilla near

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of their groups to Fodder Harvesting and to talk to them of our concerns and provide information on many on-ground facts and details;Met with Rachael Greenfield from UQ Gatton who is doing a PhD into the likely potential impacts of Native Vegetation Regulations on the Mulga lands and the capacity it has to enhance or damage eco-logical outcomes;I had the opportunity to take a group of Natural Resource Management Students from UQ Gatton out to Burrandilla to showcase mulga fodder harvesting and general mulga management. I think the com-munity as a whole has to spend more time helping to educate these students as they will be the future vegetation managers. Met with the Salinity board in Brisbane as a non NAP member. This board is due to be wound up as they have completed their objectives;

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As a group, I think we are getting our message out to our stakeholders. Communication in a vast region such as ours is always likely to be a big ask, but judging from the response to the last round of FUTURESCAPES funding the message is getting out.

Thank you to the my fellow board members and especially to the Chair for their support and professional attitude to running the board smoothly and effectively. Also a large thank you to the staff for their support for running such an efficient organization.

Another year, another drought. It is almost getting boring. Drought has now spread to nearly all of the South West NRM Ltd region. Small pockets around Cunnamulla and to the east are getting some relief rain while areas east of Charleville are slipping into severe drought, and in the Thargomindah and Quilpie areas you do not mention “the Drought”.

Unfortunately vegetation management is still hanging around like a malignant cancer, with some remissions but acceptable outcomes still seem to be over the horizon somewhere. Let’s hope that this year will see acceptable environmental and practical outcomes for vegetation management.

Some of the activities I was involved in this year:In conjunction with AgForce, I met with a delegation of directors of the Vegetation Unit of NR&W to assess the draft Codes of Fodder Har-vesting. Agreement was reached on most of the Codes except Conserving Regional Ecosystems. At the moment an “acceptable solution” is a bit fuzzy. Figures from the Productivity Commission state that the potential loss of productivity from this area (Mulga Lands) and the Brigalow region to be about $569 million due to Government Vegetation Laws;Met with Des Boyland to discuss his draft report on Fodder Harvesting. This report was released at the AgForce Conference in Charleville;Met with Barry Trail (Wilderness) and Constance Johnston WWF to discuss issues and concerns

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The past twelve months have seen some excellent advances in natural resource managment within the Indigenous sec-tor. The Far South West Aboriginal NRM Group (FSWANRMG) has gathered momentum with excellent representation from the six Indigenous groups within the region: Bidjara, Budjiti, Kooma, Kunja, Kullilli and Mardigan. Thanks must go to South West NRM Ltd for instigating the FSWANRMG.

A number of projects are underway in the Indigenous NRM sector including a Mardigan project to protect a number of valuable fish traps on Piastre Station. The project is very exciting with it being a first of its kind in Queensland. A fenc-ing project involving the Bidjara people is also in the pipeline at Mt Tabor and the Kooma people are planning to fence off a paddock for bush tucker.

A partnership between South West NRM Ltd and Condamine Alliance has been formed to implement a Traditional Knowledge Indicator Project. South West NRM Ltd has also recently called for tenders to undertake a Traditional Ownder Natural Resource Management and Heritage Plan.

This momentum is encouraging to see and I am sure that many worthwhile projects will be undertaken over the next twelve months and look forward to reporting on our successes.


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Vickie WebbChief Executive Officer

Vickie has an impressive employment history, most recently as the team leader for the Environmental Protec-tion Agency’s Agribusiness and Food Processing unit.

Vickie has also worked as a Senior Research Project Officer for CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems in Brisbane, as a Regional Coordinator for “Farming for the Future” in Armidale, and as a member of the Royal Australian Navy.

Vickie has held positions on a number of committees, including the Canegrowers Rural Water Use Efficiency II group, the inter-governmental committee on Memo-randum of Understanding between Government and Queensland Farmers Federation, and the Primary Indus-tries and Natural Resource Management Joint Taskforce for Aboriginal reconciliation.

Vickie has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Natural Resource Management, a Graduate Certificate in Envi-ronmental Science and is currently undertaking a PhD in Sustainable Agriculture.

Richard MurphyFinance Officer

Richard is responsible for the everyday running of South West NRM Ltd’s finances. Richard has a Master in Pro-fessional Accounting (USQ) and is a Certified Practicing Accountant (2002). Richard has worked in business man-agement for the past 15 years with experience in hospital-ity, tourism and most recently as Financial Controller of a public company.

management team

executive team

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Donna ZohlOffice Manager

Donna’s role provides admin-istrative support including organising meetings, travel, accommodation, and asset management. Donna has a Certificate III in Business Administration.

Dan FergusonPrograms Manager

Dan’s position involves coordinating on-grounds works and catchment planning as well as managing technical staff. Dan moved to Charleville four years ago to take up the position of Natural Resource Officer (Landcare Initia-tives) before moving into the position of South West NRM Ltd’s Sustainable Production Officer. Prior to his role as Programs Manager Dan was the Bulloo/Paroo Community Support Coordinator based in Quilpie.

Dan has a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Man-agement from the University of Western Australia.

Mick McNivenIndigenous NRM Support Officer

Mick’s position works with Aboriginal people in the region regarding natural resource management.Mick has 15 years experience working with native title, most recently as a staff member of the Queensland South Representative Body Aboriginal Corporation. Originally from the Cunnamulla region, Mick is a mem-ber of the Budjiti tribe.

Angie WaltonLandcare Facilitator

Angie works with Landcare groups in the south west region to coordinate natural resource management activi-ties. Angie provides support for projects and partnerships and will assist in the provi-sion of resources for improved Landcare practices. Angie has an Associate Diploma in Applied Science (Wilderness Reserves and Wildlife).

Keith WalkerStrategic Regional Facilitator

Keith’s role is to develop Strategic Partnerships for South West NRM Ltd and the Australian government with a range of clients across the region, and to facili-tate natural resource management outcomes in con-junction with South West NRM Ltd operations. Keith has twenty years experience in NRM through the fields of Forestry and Protected Area Management. Keith has a Bachelor Degree in Parks, Recreation, and Heritage; an Associate Diploma in Applied Science (Forestry); and an Associate Diploma in Farm Management (Agricul-ture).


John Targett Bulloo/Paroo Community Support Coordinator

John’s position is based in Quilpie and supports land-holders through improved planning mechanisms to maintain the sustainability of their land and water resources while continuing to advance economic viabil-ity. John has a Bachelor Degree in Environmental Science (Honours) as well as a post graduate Diploma in Applied Science.

Matt WolnickiWarrego/Nebine Community Support Coordinator

Matthew’s role coordinates and assists landholders, natu-ral resource management groups and local government in developing and implementing natural resource manage-ment plans.

After studying for a Degree in Landscape Management and Conservation at the University of Western Sydney, Matthew completed an honours project in community conflict resolution.

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Deborah AtkinsonAdministration Officer

Deborah is responsible for answering general enquir-ies, coordinating corre-spondence, managing the resource library and provid-ing administrative support to other staff. Originally from Geraldton in W.A., Debbie has a Certificate III in Business Administration.

Raelee BrierCommunication & Education Officer

Raelee’s role is to provide effective communication to South West NRM Ltd and the community, as well as deliver community educa-tion programs in natural resource management. Raelee has a bachelor degree in education.

Ric NewsonIT & GIS Officer

Ric’s role is to maintain and supervise IT equipment and standardise usage, as well as produce maps and coordinate spatial data.Ric has 10 years experience in IT. Ric was a medical lab scientist for 15 years before changing careers.

technical team

Renée MooreVegetation and Biodiversity Officer

Renée’s role is responsible for supporting landholders with vegetation management and weed and pest management activities and providing technical support to South West NRM Ltd staff. Renée has a Bachelor Degree in Science (Honours), majoring in Botany and Natural Resource Management, from the University of Queensland.

Linda DurhamLocal Government NRM Support Officer

Linda works with Local Governments in the south west region to coordinate natural resource management activities. Linda has a Diploma in Information Technol-ogy from Adelaide TAFE and more recently a Bachelor of Environmental Management from Flinders Univer-sity, South Australia.

Julie FroushegerMonitoring and Evaluation Officer

Julie’s role is to coordinate monitoring and evaluation of natural resources in the South West NRM Ltd region. This includes technical support for activities (establishing on-ground sites), training and information support to land managers and development of monitoring and evaluation programs within State and Australian government frame-works. Julie has a Bachelor Degree in Applied Science (Agriculture) and an Associate Diploma of Applied Science (Rural Technologies). Julie has over ten years experience in natural resource management in the south west region.

the staffprofile


highlights0506

1.2 million hectares influenced by PLANSCAPES

47 projects funded under FUTURESCAPES and

PLANSCAPES with an estimated funding output of $1.4

million

7,400 hectares of riparian area protected

1,000 hectares of wetland protected

2,400 hectares of high conservation value land protected

10,000 hectares of priority weed (parthenium) controlled

6.9 million hectares of wild dog baiting was achieved in

the Quilpie Shire supported by FUTURESCAPES funding.

90% of funded projects have signed Voluntary

Management Agreements which outline Current

Recommended Practices for managing to achieve

environmental outcomes

110 people attended Information Exchange Days

160 people attended Wild Dog Management workshops

Completion of 3 PLANSCAPES/GLM workshops and

development of individual and sub-catchment manage-

ment plans.

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Caption: Fencing contractors Geoff Drury and Peter Seck-old with Heath admiring their work

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South West NRM Ltd is leading the way as a regional natural resource management body through effective engagement of Indigenous stakeholders

indigenous group leading the way in natural resource management

about the group

With the assistance of South West NRM Ltd, the Far South West Aboriginal NRM Group (FSWANRMG) was formed in 2004, as the Traditional Owner advisory group for natural resource management in the south west region.

Two representatives from each local Indigenous group make up FSWANRMG; representatives are Native Title claimants or community members nominated by claimants to represent their group.

the role of the group

The group is heavily involved in providing advice and assistance to all community members who wish to progress on-ground projects that achieve environmental outcomes while enhancing culturally significant values.The group generally meets four times a year and participa-tion at these meetings has been very strong.

current projects

Most recently the Kooma group completed their first project, fencing off five kilometers of river country / wet-land area on Murra Murra Station.

South West NRM Ltd’s Indigenous NRM Support Officer Mick McNiven said “The Lime Bush Paddock Project was undertaken by the Kooma Traditional Owners to assist in the reintroduction of the lime bush back into an area of

LOCAL INDIGENOUS GROUPS IN THE SOUTH WEST

NRM LTD REGION

Bidjara BudjitiKoomaKunjaKullilli

Mardigan

cultural significance for the group”.

“Geoff Drury, a Kooma Traditional Owner, undertook the fencing contract for this project which is also helping to protect the site’s fragile flora and fauna,” Mick said.

“This project is one of a series being undertaken on Murra Murra and Bendee Downs to protect and repair a large area of wetlands and river country,” said Mick.

Other projects being undertaken by Traditional Owner groups in the south west region include the fencing of part of the Paroo River by the Budjiti people in Currawinya National Park to allow grass regeneration to occur.

The Mardigan people are also working with the owners of Piastre Station to fence-off fish traps, an important feature in terms of riparian function and cultural heritage.

The Bidjara people are working towards fencing areas of cultural significance to protect them from stock on Mount Tabor station.


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FUTURESCAPES is South West NRM Ltd’s on-ground works incentive program. Although the devolved grant incentive system is not new to stakeholders in the region, FUTURESCAPES has renewed the process, with a fresh marketing campaign attracting thirty applications in its first round.

After a highly competitive selection process, one of the outstanding successful projects was a project aimed at protecting natural ground springs in the upper reaches on the Warrego catchment, proposed by the Australian Bush Heritage Fund (ABHF).

“The importance of the FUTURESCAPES program cannot be underestimated. The fact that the pastoral community can tap into advice, support and monies for natural resource management encourages better land management practices that will eventually benefit all Australians” said Darren Larcombe, Manager of Carnarvon Station.

larbey ladder helps protect both springs and native fauna on Carnarvon Station Reserve

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Project AimThe “Conglomerate and Mailman Spring Protection” project involved the exclu-sion of feral herbivores from these springs by fencing, to improve water quality and protect a threatened ecosystem.

Spring ProfilesCONGLOMERATE SPRING - consists of a string of permanent water holes in the bed of a small ephemeral creek which drains into the Channin Creek system via Boulder Creek. In excess of 25 axe grinding grooves have been found adjacent to the rock pools. This indicates that this was most likely a significant Aboriginal occupation site. The site has never been fenced and has been degraded significantly by the impacts of feral pigs and horses accessing water.

The project proposed the exclusion of feral herbivores

from the water source and cultural heritage areas by fencing a buffer around the spring approximately 100m x 150m with a 1.2m high horse and pig proof fence. Visitor access will be pro-vided by a pedestrian gate. MAILMAN SPRING - consists of a series of seepages in the base of a drainage lined sand coun-try. Historically the spring was tapped to water cattle and the source was fenced. The infrastructure has long been in poor condition and the area has suffered severe erosion, compaction and loss of aquatic vegeta-tion due to feral herbivores, particularly pigs, accessing the site.

A levee bank established in the 1980’s to divert water to a small catchment at the spring source has caused considerable erosion which is still active. Part of this proposal was to remove

FUTURESCAPES

investing in sustainable landscapes

for the future

or breach the levee prior to fencing. The proposed fence will protect the spring source and 200m of stream below with a 1.2m high horse and pig proof fence. Visitor access will be pro-vided via a pedestrian gate.

Project BackgroundCarnarvon Station Reserve protects a large percentage of the headwaters of the Warrego catchment, includ-ing 36 springs of which 31 are currently known to still exist. Of these, 11 are protected by feral herbivore exclusion fencing so far.

“I’m very happy with the outcomes of the project. ABHF can easily tap into volunteer support, however things can get a little tight when looking at larger capital expenditure projects such as the Conglomerate & Mailman Springs Fenc-ing Project. The financial support for the purchase of water monitoring equip-


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ment and fencing materials was greatly appreciated” said Darren.

ABHF is committed to protecting and improving water quality on a local and catchment level. Any measures to improve water quality and conservation in the upper Channin Creek will have flow-on positive outcomes for other catch-ment users in the War-rego River catchment and beyond.

The strategic fencing of spring sites on the Reserve will result in, not only improvements in water quality, but the long-term preservation of these unique and threatened sites. The strategic man-agement of feral herbiv-ore watering points is an integral part of introduced fauna management on the Reserve.

Reserve management will benefit from the exclusion of feral herbivores from this and other springs on the property in the following ways; reduction in carrying capacity of pest species through limiting available watering points; reduced distribution of weed seed and pathogens carried and spread by feral herbivores; reduced sedimentation in springs creeks and drainage lines; decreased soil loss and erosion from water-ing points and feral animal trails; and increased faunal and floral diversity on a local/regional level.

The project forms part of an

ongoing strategy outlined in the Reserve’s management plan for conservation of significant sites. An impor-tant issue identified in the plan is the degradation of springs by feral herbivores. Exclusion of feral herbivores from these areas has been identified as an effective strategy for the protec-tion of springs as well as reducing the density of feral herbivores on the Reserve.

“We have managed to kick some major conservation goals with the exclusion of pigs and horses from these two springs, already water quality has improved and revegetation of the stream banks begun” said Darren.

If no action was taken then the spring sites would continue to degrade. With the removal of grazing over the Reserve’s 59,000 ha it is to be expected that the carrying capacity for herbivores, both feral and native, will continue to increase before stablising. It is a management aim and a responsibility of ABHF to see that these management actions do not result in a net increase in feral herbiv-ores. All these strategiesengage to protect and man-age the Reserve’s natural assets on a landscape scale and add to the conservation values of the region.

Fencing AspectsAll spring sites on Carnar-von Station are different. Fence styles that have been trialled on the property to date range from rigid stock-mesh exclosures, on a small

scale, to large stand-alone electrified exclosures. Judg-ing from the results of pro-tection measures to date, the larger an exclosure the more beneficial, particularly if it excludes both pigs and horses as the exclosures in this project will. Native fauna, particularly macro-pods access the springs by rock and log ramps (a local innovation called a “Larbey Ladder”). Feral herbivores can continue to access water at dams and artificial sources where controlled efforts and monitoring are more practical, and the negative environmental impacts considerably lower.

MonitoringData collection on Carnar-von Station is in its early stages and little baseline data is available to dem-onstrate improvements in water quality. However, early indicators such as markedly decreased turbid-

Number of kilometres fenced: 1 kmTotal area protected/revegetated: 2 haNumber of properties participating in the project: 1Length of river watercourse fenced: 500m of spring source st

atis

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ity and dramatic increases in riparian and in-stream vegetation indicate that current fencing strategies are effective. It is expected that the re-establishment of suitable habitat will result in an increase of aquatic invertebrates and frogs.

The sites are part of ABHF’s overall monitoring program and data is collected annu-ally through photo survey points and the SAVMON monitoring system. Water quality testing and inver-tebrate monitoring is conducted at this site and other springs two times a year.

There is a rising stage sampler installed in the Channin Creek downstream of the project site, which was supplied by South West NRM Ltd, through funding from the Australian Govern-ment Envirofund.


reviewregional investment strategy

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PLANSCAPES

planning for a sustainable

future

The Regional Investment Strategy (RIS) for the South West NRM Ltd region has been developed as the investment tool for natural resource management in South West Queensland. It plays a vital role in fulfilling the objectives of the Regional Natural Resource Management Plan (NRM Plan) and details activites that will result in regional resource condition improvements. The NRM Plan was developed through a partnership between two regional bodies, South West NRM Ltd and the Queensland Murray Darling Committee (QMDC), after a comprehensive community engagement and consultation process.

As a partner document the RIS identifies the key issues developed under the NRM Plan and rationalises these into seven Investment Programs for the South West NRM Ltd region, which are based on the elements of ecological sustainable development, sustainable production, protection and enhancement of biodiversity, community engagement, and action to engage Aboriginal communities.

Total investment from the Natural Heritage Trust Extension and the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Qual-ity for the RIS 2005-2007 is $4,771,335. South West NRM Ltd also leverages additional funding from other programs including the Australian Government Envirofund, the Strategic Reserve and the National Landcare Program.

planscapesPLANSCAPES is a multi-property scale planning initia-tive addressing land management issues that negatively impact upon soils, water, vegetation and biodiversity in the South West NRM Ltd region.

The program is designed to assist small groups of neighbouring land managers address property and catchment management issues.

Participants work together to create an overall NRM plan for their sub-catchment, and work individually to create local NRM plans for their grazing enterprises.

Each plan is comprised of maps, visions, targets, strategies and on-ground actions which participants keep for their own records.

PLANSCAPES works in conjunction with the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries’ Grazing Land Man-agement (GLM) program to deliver a comprehensive and complete planning package to participants.

The GLM program provides participants with the best available knowledge on management topics such as graz-ing, fire, weeds and climate, which enables realistic strate-gies and actions to be developed by the group.

PLANSCAPES is not just another attempt at providing a quick fix answer to environmental problems; rather it puts

everyday issues into the ‘big picture’. It gives land manag-ers the opportunity to look beyond their own paddock to understand the cause of natural resource issues and ena-bles change through planning for long-term sustainability

and profitability.

As legislative requirements and recommended management practices evolve, more emphasis is being placed on co-ordinated and targeted natural resource management. The program also provides an opportunity for the com-munity, non-government organisations and governments to work together for the greater environmental good.

The PLANSCAPES package containing a workbook, slide presentation, facilitation plan and monitoring package has been completed. Four desktop assessments for surface water, weed and pest animal status and condition and trend for biodiversity & vegetation have been developed as part of this package to assist PLANSCAPES groups.

Three groups have undertaken the PLANSCAPES process; the upper Bulloo, lower Nebine and Eulo groups. As a result, three PLANSCAPES action plans incorporating three sets of sub-catchment targets and eighteen individual property plans have been completed.

Fifteen on-ground projects to improve riparian area man-agement have been approved for funding by South West NRM Ltd from PLANSCAPES workshops. These projects are set to achieve sub catchment planning requirements.

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futurescapesThe main objective of the FUTURESCAPES program is to provide financial support for the implementation of priority on-ground works that improve natural resource condition in the South West NRM Ltd region. Funding is provided to NRM stakeholders who demonstrate a willingness to go beyond what is considered their ‘duty of care’ or core business’ in order to provide a healthy and sustainable landscape for the benefit of the wider community and future generations.

FUTURESCAPES is administered by South West NRM Ltd and funded by the Australian Government through the Natural Heritage Trust Extension, National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality and the National Landcare Program.

include:PLANSCAPES groups

Landcare groupsOther incorporated non-

government groupsIndividuals

SchoolsLocal Governments

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

• 110 km of riparian fencing and 36 off-stream stock watering points to protect approximately 7,400 ha of riparian area.

• Eleven kilometres of fencing and six water points were allocated to protect approximately 1,000 ha of wetland area.

• Three projects were approved to protect approximately 2,400 ha of high nature conservation value land types with 35 km of fencing and three new water points.

• A further 25 km of fencing and 27 stock watering points were funded to alleviate grazing pressure from land types subject to degradation.

• Approximately 10, 000 ha of priority weed (parthenium) control and a project to assist in the

coordination of wild dog baiting, covering 6.9 million ha were also funded.

• A project to develop an environmental education package for schools in south west Queensland was funded.

• Seventeen of thirty nine (44%) applicants to FUTURESCAPES Round 2 indicated proposed recommended practices to manage potential sites of cultural significance within the project area.

• Projects selected from the GLM/PLANSCAPES action plans represent strategically designed management options using current recommended practices to achieve sub-catchment scale targets.

Round 2 of FUTURESCAPES saw funding allocated for:

As anticipated, FUTURESCAPES is devel-oping into a program associated with targeting high environmental value projects.

Twenty-eight projects were allocated funding from FUTURESCAPES Round 2 and FUTURESCAPES Round 3 opened on June 22 to target projects which protect areas of high nature conservation value and address priority exotic weed and feral animal issues

The development of the FUTURESCAPES application package has been complet-ed and contains a series of fact sheets, guidelines and application forms based on shifting NRM priorities and targets as identified by the NRM Plan, Regional Invest-ment Strategy and subse-quent strategic planning.

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Over the last year a number of partnerships between Local Government, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Natural Resources and Water (NR&W), local schools, landholders and community members have been developed and strengthened.

A highlight of this period was the successful implementation of a series of eleven Wild Dog Management workshops, conducted over six shires. These workshops were developed in partnership with the NRM&W. The development of this training package was the result of priority planning with participants at the regional wild dog meetings. The workshops included training and written material for participants as well as advice and demonstrations from expert trapper Don Sallway.

A number of regional orientation activities have been supported by all South West NRM Ltd staff including AgForward PMAV workshops, regional wild dog meetings, support and sponsorship of regional recogni-tion awards – the Mulga Awards, Cross Regional Monitoring and Evaluation Review group and local council meetings. South West NRM Ltd has continued to support Traditional Owner groups with two forums held in July 2005 and April 2006 at the Charleville office. Planning and construction of the terms of reference for the Aboriginal NRM Plan have been completed. This plan will assist in the delivery of Traditional Owner engagement guidelines and reporting on Traditional Owner activities, priorities, interests and assets.

policy and partnerships

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The launch of the Regional Investment Strategy in October 2005 occurred as part of the Information Exchange Days and was a major activity for this investment package. Approximately 80 people attended over the three day period. The Charleville office was relocated during the year and an official opening of the new office was held in April which was attended by fifty-five forum, board, com-munity and South West NRM Ltd staff members.

South West NRM Ltd has implemented a comprehensive communication plan. All communication methods have been updated with a new corporate look and new promotional material. A social survey project which incorporates a bench-marking project is also contributing to the assessment of further communication needs. The South West NRM Ltd promotional package includes written materials such as the style guide, office signage, new graphics, banners and verbal materials including radio sponsorship with key messages.

There have been fifteen media stories, forty-two newspaper items, one radio advertising campaign, six radio interviews and twenty-three general advertis-ing events to promote the activities of South West NRM Ltd during this period. A number of key regional events have been supported by South West NRM Ltd including the Charleville Agricultural Show, Cunnamulla Agricultural Show, three Community Information Days, one Community NRM Forum (Vegetation Codes), Mulga Awards displays and sponsorship, AgForce State Conference sponsorship, Charleville Race Day display and a school project photographic display for this period.


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The Regional Investment Strategy outlines the need for South West NRM Ltd to set long-term resource condition targets (RCT/s) for land salinity; soil condition; river and wetland health indicators; and exotic weeds and pest ani-mals. The approach adopted in this program is to examine existing information, identify knowledge gaps and investi-gate partnerships with agencies, other research providers and other regional bodies to fulfil information require-ments. Once issues are benchmarked in this manner, com-munity aspirations are incorporated into developing RCT/s.

A project called “Improved salinity management for the Nebine/Mungallala/Wallam catchment in the South West NRM Ltd region of Queensland” was completed as the first phase of research into the reality of secondary salinity in the region and the potential threat it poses to the envi-ronment and production systems.

The development of the web based VISTA reporting program has seen changes in performance reporting methods at South West NRM Ltd. The building of the system is ongoing with input from the regional bodies. South West NRM Ltd has participated in testing for Release 2 of the system and has also contributed to the direc-tion of the system through user surveys and training. This system will be used for performance reporting at project, financial and activ-ity agreement level and is

capable of integrating staff workplans and all project activities.

The Cross Regional Monitoring and Evaluation Review (CRAMER) group has served as an important working group for devel-opment towards a South West NRM Ltd monitoring framework. The monitoring and evaluation officer at South West NRM Ltd has contributed to the group’s activities towards producing a monitoring and evalu-ation document for the Queensland Murray Darling

Basin. Draft versions of the framework have been able to commence as the CRAM-ER group has progressed its long-term agenda.

Monitoring and evaluation of FUTURESCAPES projects have commenced on Round 1 projects that have been completed throughout the period. Monitoring sites at FUTURESCAPES projects are implemented by South West NRM Ltd staff on completion of the projects and an annual monitoring system is developed and encouraged.

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The project utilised funds sourced externally through the Social and Economic State Investment Program (SE05) and was jointly undertaken by South West NRM Ltd and the University of New England’s Centre for Ecological Economics and Water Policy Research. The project out-comes include a literature review, a salinity assessment and decision support toolkit for landholders, direction for National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality (NAPSWQ) investment and a course for future scientific investigation, monitoring and evaluation.

Terms of reference for future research have now been developed for river health indicators; condition of high priority regionally significant wetlands; priority natural flow paths; reduction of extent and impact of weeds and pests and contingencies for new weed and pest outbreaks. Research partners will be engaged in the 2006 / 07 year to undertake these projects which will further assist in future planning of investment into priority NRM issues.


shared knowledge

targetedplanning

greaterincentives

effectivemonitoring

What do we do?

Put simply, South West NRM Ltd is working towards creating positive changes in our environment in four ways:

We SHARE KNOWLEDGE in a two way process. We share what we know with the community and the community shares their local knowledge with us.

We TARGET PLANNING within the region to address the areas of most concern within each catchment.

We provide INCENTIVES to landholders and the community to help them enact changes.

We assist community members and landholders obtain the skills necessary to enable EFFECTIVE MONITORING to take place

•

•

•

•

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core costsA comprehensive overview in Policy and Procedures at the commencement of the 2005/06 financial year has provided sound foundations in management and ethical and responsible decision making. These Policies and Procedures will be reviewed in August 2006.

As a Company limited by guarantee, South West NRM Ltd is aware of its social responsibility and its role in being a superior corporate citizen. This is at the core of the Regional Body concept.

Three new Board Direc-tors have been appointed,

filling all director positions on the South West NRM Ltd board. Kent Morris was appointed as Independent Vice Chair, Natalie Fisher as Conservation Sector Direc-tor and Jenny Richardson as Community/Landcare Sector Director.

A strong focus in business management was critical to these appointments along with specialised experience in areas best representing the region and the interests of its stakeholders. Cor-porate Governance training was identified as a prior-ity requirement for board members. This training has

been delivered to board members with an additional round of training scheduled for the next financial year.

Finalisation of the Cor-porate Plan is almost complete and will bring informed strategic foresight to the organisation thus ensuring the long term viability of South West NRM Ltd.

A Finance and Audit Com-mittee was also established during this reporting period.

All disclosure requirements by ASIC have been met throughout the year.


reviewadditional projects

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community landcare coordinator

additional projects

spatial imagery project

The Community Landcare Coordinator, funded by the National Landcare Program was appointed and commenced in the position at the Charleville South West NRM Ltd office on 5 June 2006. In the short time until the end of the reporting period the following activities and outputs have occurred:

Project

South West NRM Ltd is the hosting body for the Strategic Reserve Spatial Imagery Project. This state - wide project, funded from the Strategic Reserve, commenced late in the last quarter of the report-ing period. Progress has been made however, on the milestones budgeted for each activity.

Highlights

Project co-ordinator posi-tion has been advertised and filled;

The Spatial Imagery Project Steering Team has been formed and has held its first meeting. Its member-ship includes representa-tives from academia, NRM regional bodies, state and federal governments; An introductory level train-ing kit has been designed for landholders, developed

and completed by Northern Gulf regional NRM staff. Modification of the kit for state-wide use will be completed by the end of July 2006. The kit will be submitted for accreditation through the Industry Train-ing Advisory Body (ITAB) of which Queensland Rural Industry Training Council Inc. (QRITC) is the responsi-ble body;

The GIS Officer training kit is in planning stage. The kit will be designed after the coordinator completes a needs and skills analysis of the regional bodies. It is envisaged that competency at this level will include all the necessary skills for an officer to perform the duties of a Geographic Informa-tion Systems Officer;

The first workshop was completed ahead of sched-ule. This was essential to align and standardise state-wide activities amongst GIS officers. Selected regional

monitoring and evaluation staff were invited to outline current practices and pro-cedures as they rely heavily on spatial and non-spatial information. A major out-come from the workshop was the reinforcement in the need for state-wide/national standards in a range of issues. The project team will direct resources to develop, with regional body input, standards to address these issues;

The GIS coordinator has conducted a broad spatial imagery needs analysis of NRM bodies. It was also recognised that special priority areas (yet to be identified) may need access to high resolution imagery. The Project Steering Com-mittee has considered these requirements and is scop-ing options with associ-ated costs and will develop recommendations for RGC executive consideration.

Identification has been made of active Landcare Groups in the region. Contact is being estab-lished with 2 other groups. Promotion of funding programs, conferences and upcoming events has been delivered to these groups.

A tree planting site for National Tree Day has also been planned which will promote both Landcare ethics and South West NRM Ltd. This activity is in part-nership with the Murweh Shire Council and the local St. Mary’s Primary School.

Joint co-ordination between South West NRM Ltd and QMDC of a new Landcare group (Middle Road Group), which falls both sides of the Regional Bodies’ borders.

This group is getting ready to look at sub-catchment plan-ning. This co-operative approach will strengthen partner-ships between the two regional bodies and establish a Landcare Group in an area where there is currently little activity.

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This project is designed to give funding support to the PLANSCAPES process and the participants who have identified appropriate carrying capacities for the land types on their properties. Considerations will also need to be made by applicants for soil condi-tion, habitat values, water quality, regenerative capacity of grasses, economic factors and climatic factors when applying for funding for their projects.

The GLM and PLANSCAPES process will assist in providing and gathering the information to enable participants to undertake the assessment of land capability. Eligible projects could include fencing land types, rehabilitation of eroded soils and fencing with shifting water points to reduce stock pressure on riparian zones.

Three PLANSCAPES groups have participated in GLM and sub-catchment planning work-shops in this period. These have occurred around the region in the Quilpie, Nebine and Eulo areas.

Projects have been submitted which reach the criteria for strategic grazing practices in the mulga lands bioregion. These are on-ground works which will achieve improved grazing practices to alleviate grazing pressure and protect natural assets.su

stai

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cesunderstanding salinity

and gauge potential ways forward were followed by a ‘catchment toolkit testing tour’. Two field days were held with land managers and the research team to discuss the project findings and develop practical activi-ties to measure soil salinity.

Two hundred and fifty sur-veys were posted to proper-ties within the catchment as part of the assessment of salinity perception in the Nebine/Mungallala/Wallam area.

South West NRM Ltd has formed partnerships with the Centre for Ecological Economics and Water Policy

Research, University of New England and Coffey Geo-sciences as a result of this project. Partnerships have also strengthened with the Department of Natural Resources and Water Land Management Unit, which contributed expertise to the project management com-mittee and valuable infor-mation on existing data.

South West NRM Ltd has increased its capacity to effectively deliver RIS fund-ing allocated to planning and implementing on-ground salinity works in the Nebine/Mungallala/Wallam catchments through this project.

The main achievement of this project was the improvement in both com-munity and regional NRM technical staff skills in identifying and assessing salinity risk on property and the development of projects to prevent or remedy land degradation. The Social and Economic State Invest-ment Program (SIP) has funded this activity.

An ‘Understanding Salin-ity’ booklet was developed, which has been incorpo-rated into the South West NRM Ltd ‘Monitoring Made Easy’ kits. Three workshops to identify community understanding

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envi

rofu

ndThroughout the reporting period, South West NRM Ltd staff have assisted graz-ing and community members with Federal Government grant funding projects. These have included Community Water Grants, Envirofund Projects and most recently, commencement of the Bureau of Rural Sciences cross-regional Com-munity In-stream Salinity Sampling Project (CSS).

In terms of Envirofund, over 100 Projects are now being carried out with differ-ing levels of assistance from South West NRM Ltd to a value in excess of $1.64 million, covering all catchments in the region, and influencing management of an average land area of 2.02 million hectares. Applications are currently being finalised towards notification to successful applicants for Round 8 Projects.

Previously, South West NRM Ltd has sponsored forty projects from Round 2 to Round 5; seven of these are completed, twelve currently being reported on, and twenty-one being scheduled for inspection. A further sixty projects have gained assistance through South West NRM Ltd, from Round 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7, and will be inspected as work programs allow.

The Bureau of Rural Sciences cross-regional Community In-stream Salinity Sampling Project (CSS) is now underway, and includes the regions of Condam-ine Alliance, Queensland Murray Darling Committee, and South West NRM Ltd. The project will include data collection for all four catchments in the region and will run until June 2008, with the possibility of further grant funding becoming available to initiate on-ground works as a result of the original project.

A partnership between South West NRM Ltd, Saint Mary’s Primary School, Charleville State Primary School and environED, was successful in attracting a Natural Resources, Mines and Water Community Natural Resource Awareness Grant totaling $2500.00 for project development.

The Project entitled “Growing Our Environmental Appreciation’ highlighted, through the art of photography, how our children perceive our local environment. Students from both schools and from various grades photographed both ‘good and bad’ environmental sub-jects found around the town. The students then analysed and explained why they took their photos and what they liked and disliked about the subject.

The results were collated into a photographic exhibition and display book that was promoted to the community and Murweh Shire Council. This project was an excellent success and the concept has been extended to incorporate Cunnamulla State School in 2006-2007.

growing our

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The community working together to build a healthy, sustainable, attractive and profitable south west Queensland, through the effective

management of our natural resources.


SOUTH WEST NRM LTD Annual Report · SOUTH WEST NRM LTD Annual Report 05_06.indd 1 17/11/2006...

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