The Landcare movement has been described as crucial to successful environmental results in the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management.
The Landcare movement has been described as crucial to successful environmental results in the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management.
Launching a new strategy developed to support Landcare in the Catchment, Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority Chief Executive Officer, Bill O’Kane, said there were 92 Landcare and land management groups and eight Local Area Planning groups across the Catchment involving about 3,500 people.
Since the mid 1980’s the efforts of volunteer community Landcare groups undertaking works such as riverbank restoration, salinity control and tree planting for threatened species had led to enormous environmental gains, Mr O’Kane said.
While many groups continued to thrive, numbers in some groups had dwindled for reasons such as time pressures.
Mr O’Kane said the CMA had already taken steps to ease the pressure on Landcare groups by simplifying the process for funding applications and investing in community Landcare co-ordinators and facilitators to support and guide groups.
The new Goulburn Broken Community Landcare Support Strategy 2005 is recommending further improvements such as greater promotion of Landcare successes; support for the development of urban Landcare; administrative support and training opportunities for community Landcare members and the promotion of stronger links with business.
Mr O’Kane said the Goulburn Broken CMA Board would be carefully considering the proposals put forward in the strategy that was developed in close consultation with community Landcare members.
“There is a very strong recognition within the Goulburn Broken CMA that a thriving Landcare movement is essential if the catchment community is to achieve environmental targets,’’ he said.
Release ends
For more information telephone Bill O’Kane on 58 222288.