#PeopleOfNRM – NARvis Technical Working Group

The current natural resource management (NRM) Strategy for the Northern Agricultural Region (NAR), an interactive web-based and GIS-enabled platform known as NARvis, was completed in 2015. To ensure that the region continues to respond effectively to the constantly changing landscape of opportunities, threats, and aspirations in natural resources management, we are currently updating this strategy.

A knowledgeable and diverse Technical Working Group has been appointed to give input on the natural resource assets and management priorities in the Region and to ensure that the NARvis continues to meet the needs of all stakeholders in the Region. This versatile group of experts will also bring their experience in the region to advise on the best ways to incorporate new and emerging information relevant to the NAR into the NARvis platform.

Allow us to introduce you to…

Paul Findlater

Principal Research Scientist (Soils) – Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD)

How did you first become involved in or interested in natural resource management? I first became involved in/interested in natural resource management while at high school when I worked for a “marineland” on the east coast.

What do you hope to achieve as a member of the Technical Working Group? Provision of advice so as the strategy is based on sound scientific evidence and principles.

…

Chontarle Bellottie

Aboriginal Engagement Manager – West, Bush Heritage Australia

How did you first become involved in or interested in natural resource management? A strong cultural connection to Country and love for the ocean.

What do you hope to achieve as a member of the Technical Working Group? I hope as a member of this group we can achieve a collaborative regional goals that include two way science strategies and Traditional Owner engagement opportunities.

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Landy Jones

NRMO, Land Use Planning Advice – Department of Water and Environmental Regulation

How did you first become involved in or interested in natural resource management? Growing up on a farm I was fortunate to be able to spend time wandering the bush at the back of the house, watching the seasons change.

What do you hope to achieve as a member of the Technical Working Group? Inspire the next generation to enjoy the natural environment as much as I do.

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Mark Canny

Program Manager Planning Advice Mid West Gascoyne Region – Department of Water and Environmental Regulation

How did you first become involved in or interested in natural resource management? The passionate, knowledgeable people working on ground in the region to protect/ enhance our environment is the best part of NRM.

What do you hope to achieve as a member of the Technical Working Group? Having been involved over several years with the Regional NRMP Plan I hope to be able to provide background/continuity as well as input from my recent roles perspective.

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Anthony Desmond

Regional Leader Conservation – Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions

How did you first become involved in or interested in natural resource management? Growing up in the Midwest with a family background in farming and being able to spend your days surrounded by the wonders of our bush and the ocean day after day – how could you not!

What do you hope to achieve as a member of the Technical Working Group? We’re very lucky to live in a time and place where we can work to improve the condition of our natural assets and restore some of the damage that we have wrought. Providing interested people with the information they need to prioritise the actions they can undertake to make the most of their efforts is key to that.

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Dr Garry Middle

Acting manager, Environment Policy – WALGA

How did you first become involved in or interested in natural resource management? I’ve worked for over 30 years in environmental planning, including  environmental impact assessment, regional and strategic land use planning, coastal planning, climate change adaptation planning and open space planning, as a practitioner, academic and decision maker. I’m a former independent member of the board of the Western Australian Planning Commission as an expert in coastal and environmental planning, and was the former head of Department of Urban and Regional Planning at Curtin University. I’m currently Chair of Great Victoria Desert Biodiversity Trust, an independent Trust fund dedicated to funding research and on-ground works in the Great Victoria Desert, and an adjunct senior research fellow at Curtin University.

What do you hope to achieve as a member of the Technical Working Group? I’d like to be able to represent the interest of Local Governments, but also to bring my expertise in – and knowledge of – regional land use planning.

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Rhys Allen

Technical Officer, Science and Resource Assessments Division, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

How did you first become involved in or interested in natural resource management? I first became interested in natural resource management whilst exploring regional and remote parts of Australia as a child on family camping trips.

What do you hope to achieve as a member of the Technical Working Group? As a member of the Technical Working Group I am keen to learn more about the diverse NRM projects and strategies proposed to enhance the natural assets of the region. Being involved in the TWG is a great opportunity to collaborate with other NRM stakeholders and to support the development of a strategy which will be a valuable asset for the community.

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Dr Nathan Craig

Executive Officer, West Midlands Group

How did you first become involved in or interested in natural resource management? My interest and involvement came from growing up on a family farm in the Wimmera region of Victoria where we had plenty of trees and a third of our property was remnant vegetation. Through learning about the Potter farms in Victoria in the 1990’s, it quickly became evident that there are many benefits to establishing shelterbelts and protecting our vegetation to enhance farm productivity. This approach underpins my farming systems approach to this day.

What do you hope to achieve as a member of the Technical Working Group? I hope that the NARvis can evolve in the coming years to be the guiding light for all groups working in the region that will enable a coordinated approach to managing our natural resources more effectively, so that we can realise and highlight the benefit of good natural resource management for all landholders across the region.

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Dr Miles Sowden

Senior Atmospheric Scientist, Sigma Theta

How did you first become involved in or interested in natural resource management? I got tired of wet hands from analysing water samples (how much) when a friend was looking for a programmer (a hobby of mine at the time) to fix a dispersion model program (where does it go). After that was asked to assist in setting up photochemical modelling (consequences of pollution) for South Africa. Realised the inadequacies of modelling and the importance of remote sensing to get continual real-time ground-level concentrations.

What do you hope to achieve as a member of the Technical Working Group? I hope my contribution can change the public perception that climate change/environmental issues are often seen as an “environmental tax” against progress and that I can assist to ensure that economic progress can occur simultaneously with improvements to the environment.

…

We also are proud to have on board Kym Suckling, Aboriginal Heritage Sites expert from the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage and Dr Mark Gibberd and Dr Julia Easton who are both Agriculture experts from Curtin University.

Representing NACC NRM in the Technical Working Group are our very own NARvis Project Officer, Amanda Bourne and Operations & Programs Manager, Kane Watson.

Amanda Bourne – NARvis Project Officer
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CEO’s Report

In 2020-21 I talked about ‘raising the bar’. In 2021-22 we worked on setting the bar on fire. Over the last 12 months, the team at NACC NRM has not stopped.

The Sustainable Agriculture team has extended the program’s reach through collaborations with grower groups in the regions. Specifically, the Beyond Reasonable Drought project and Grower Group Alliance – South West WA Drought Innovation Hub – Geraldton Node project. The Beyond Reasonable Drought partnership with grower groups supported farmers across the region to improve the environmental sustainability of their agricultural production and drought resilience. The outcomes of this project have been consolidated through our successful Expression of Interest to the South West WA Drought Innovation Hub, with support from grower groups across the region, to host the Geraldton Node of the Hub. The program continues to focus on working with agricultural networks to share technical expertise and provide opportunities that will improve land management practices in agriculture across the region.

The conservation outcomes of ranger teams have expanded through work on several land tenures. Maintaining Heritage sites such as Willi Gulli, Racecourse Paddock and Buller River has long been a priority. During 2021-22, the teams have increasingly focused on threatened species and ecosystems.

To this end, Western Mulga rangers have improved management across 19,000 ha for the conservation of Malleefowl through firebreak and access management. They completed the maintenance of water holes and supported the monitoring of over 90 Malleefowl mounds.

Similarly, the Kwelena Mambakort Aboriginal Corporate ranger team have contributed positively to Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo populations by installing artificial hollows and habitat restoration.

All ranger teams have collected native seed, propagated native plants for restoration, and planted native vegetation in key locations across the NAR. Seed collection provides valuable industry experience and has facilitated the planting of over 100,000 seedlings during the year.   

In September 2021, the NACC NRM team delivered the WA Threatened Species Forum, held in tandem with the National Malleefowl Forum. Given the impact of COVID and the timing of this event, having more than 100 delegates from all over Australia was a significant achievement. The two Forums brought together 12 events over five days and featured 14 local artists, 25 businesses and 36 youth participants.

Following the successful relaunch of our updated NARvis, NACC NRM was invited to help lead a significant piece of strategic planning work for the region with Mid West Development Commission and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. With funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund, the consortia delivered a Regional Drought Resilience Plan covering the shires of Northampton and Chapman Valley and the City of Greater Geraldton, along with significant technical analysis of drought vulnerability for the South West land division. The development of this plan also included extensive community consultation to ensure that local knowledge and technical advice guided the development of priorities for action.

This planning work links to existing NACC NRM on-ground projects, including Beyond Reasonable Drought and the Chapman Catchment Collaborative regeneration project.

It was a busy year for events with face-to-face events becoming commonplace again. During 2021-22 we hosted events in Gingin, Moora, Dalwallinu, Cervantes, Jurien Bay, Walkaway, Nabawa, Perenjori, Kalannie and Morawa. We supported events in Karakin, Thundellara, Perenjori, Paynes Find, Wubin, Cataby, Warradarge, Northampton, Yuna, Dalwallinu and Dandaragan.

We also supported on-ground works throughout the region, including at the following locations Yuna, Dalwallinu, Dandaragan, Merkanooka, Goodlands, Kalannie, Bunjil, Yardarino, Canna, Kondut, Latham, Kadathinni, Nabawa, Red Gully, Sandy Gully, Waddy Forrest, Devils Creek, Perenjori, Bowgada, Ellendale, Wandana, Namban, Hill River, Warradarge, Gillingarra, Regans Ford and Moonyanooka.

Our region is vast – slightly larger than Tasmania, which for comparison, is serviced by three separate NRM organisations. Covering the NAR region and its many environmental threats is challenging. We continue to focus on partnerships and collaboration to address this challenge. We know that by working with our community through passionate delivery of collaborative on-ground projects and education, the community will value and actively protect our region’s natural capital.

This year we have launched a new Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). The RAP Working Group consulted widely and developed an Innovate RAP which Reconciliation Australia approved in March 2022. The activities to fulfil these commitments are now in full swing.

Sadly, at the end of 2021, we farewelled former NACC NRM CEO Shelley Spriggs, who lost a long battle with cancer. Shelley was an inaugural inductee to the NRM Leadership Honour Roll. I will always be grateful for her guidance and no-nonsense approach, not to mention her passion for life.

While we have said farewell to some, we have welcomed many new faces across all programs, including our Administration team. We have also hosted a school-based trainee from Nagle Catholic College who has been working towards a Certificate II in Conservation and Ecosystem Management. This trial position has been very successful, and we look forward to making this opportunity available again in 2023.

During 2022 we have taken on new projects that align with our organisational and program objectives, and we have successfully completed some great initiatives that support continued conservation and sustainability outcomes. I want to thank the whole team who continue to go above and beyond for the organisation and each other proving their ongoing commitment to our purpose and our values.