Updating NARvis: the latest news on the community consultation process

Interested in an update on the results of an online survey with over 100 local NRM practitioners and learning more about opportunities to participate in the first round of stakeholder consultation workshops taking place around the region in September?

In July 2020, 101 natural resource management (NRM) practitioners from the Northern Agricultural Region (NAR) participated in an online survey on regional NRM planning. The purpose of the online survey was to 1) introduce the current round of regional NRM planning, 2) understand if and how people are using the NARvis (the current regional NRM strategy), 3) start discussing what the regional NRM plan should deliver, and 4) identify how stakeholders prefer to input into the plan.

The survey was sent to 215 natural resource management practitioners across the regions, representing 122 different organisations and groups. We received a total of 101 responses from people representing 65 different organisations, a nearly 50% response rate! The majority of responses came from NGOs, community based organisations, and community environmental groups in the region, and we also had a great response from Local Government Authorities in the region (10 of 15 Shires) and a 60% response rate from practitioners representing Aboriginal corporations and Traditional Owner groups. Almost 90% of responses came from people living in the NAR, with just over a third of respondents living within the City of Greater Geraldton.

Biodiversity conservation was the primary focus of 45% of respondents’ organisations or groups, followed by agriculture (16%), community development (15%), and local service delivery (15%). This was reflected in answers to open-ended questions about respondents’ environmental concerns and the kinds of projects they are planning to promote sustainability in the region. Half of all respondents listed environmental concerns related to biodiversity conservation, including the preservation of native flora and fauna species, biodiversity loss, habitat fragmentation, and the need for rehabilitation of degraded areas. Nearly 80% indicated that they were planning to implement biodiversity conservation projects in the next 5 years.

Sustainable agriculture was also a top priority for respondents with 40% highlighting environmental concerns related to farming including soil erosion, salinity, and concerns about land clearing. Around 20% or respondents told us that they are planning to implement community engagement and sustainable agriculture projects in the next 5 years.

We learned that 42% of respondents have accessed and used NARvis before, primarily out of general interest but also to inform project proposals and strategic plans and to share or promote their projects. Stakeholders in NRM in the region expressed a strong interest in Traditional Owner engagement in NRM, conservation of terrestrial, marine, and coastal biodiversity, managing biosecurity risks and invasive species, and responding to climate change, all of which will be covered in the revised regional NRM strategy. Respondents also indicated that the regional NRM strategy is an important resource for project planning and for prioritising NRM investment and suggested that the revised strategy should draw on existing resources to provide this service.

Finally, survey respondents indicated that a combination of local, regional, and online workshops, along with online surveys, would be the most convenient way for them to engage in regional NRM planning in the NAR. Based on this feedback, we have planned our first round of community consultation workshops in September. The workshops will take place at three locations around the region, as well as online, and will focus on making sure that NARvis is a useful resource for the community. The workshops are also an opportunity for you to share your priorities for NRM in the NAR, and ensure they are included in the regional strategy.

For a closer look at the survey results click here.

To register to attend one of the stakeholder consultation workshops, follow the appropriate link below or check out the invitation on our Events Page.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our NARvis Project Officer Amanda Bourne (E) Amanda.bourne@NACC.com.au (P) 08 9938 0100

Geraldton

3 September 2020, 9am – 3pm

Geraldton Multipurpose Centre Function Room, 250 Marine Terrace

Click here to book

Perenjori

9 September 2020, 9am – 3pm

NACC NRM Office, Cnr Fowler Street and Timmings Street

Click here to book

Jurien Bay

10 September 2020, 9am – 3pm

Jurien Bay Education and Conference Centre, 69 Bashford Street

Click here to book

Online

24 September 2020, 10am – 1pm

Via Zoom

Click here to book

Amanda Bourne – NARvis Project Officer

Tagged NARvis, Natural Resource Management Strategy

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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.