Home 🞂 Who We Are
NACC NRM was originally established in 1995 as Northern Agricultural Integrated Management Strategy (NAIMS) and incorporated under that name in 1998. In 2002, NAIMS changed its name to Northern Agricultural Catchments Council. This is still our official name, however we prefer NACC NRM for all public-facing communications and material.
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NACC NRM is one of 54 regional Natural Resource Management (NRM) organisations around Australia, and one of seven in Western Australia. Regional NRMs were established in the early 2000s by the Australian Government to deliver community-based projects to strategically address environmental degradation at a regional or landscape scale.
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Regional NRM Groups were originally established with support from the Federal Government to implement NRM activities across Australia. At establishment, each Regional NRM worked extensively with the regional communities to develop a detailed Strategic NRM Plan identifying the natural assets and their threatening processes across the entire region, and identified management actions required to maintain the health of the assets into the future.
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NACC NRM (as NAIMS) originally developed an integrated natural resource management strategy for the Northern Agricultural Region. We now call this NARvis and has evolved from a hard copy document to an online, interactive website. Over time, our role has evolved to include delivering parts of the strategy. We are the custodians of NARvis (www.narvis.com.au) and take responsibility for promoting and updating it as and when required. We are a membership-based organisation available to anyone with an interest in the region. Membership is free and we maintain a community focus across the organisation. We recognise that change to improve environmental health has to come from the whole community. We collaborate with farmers, community groups with any interest in natural resource management activities, Traditional Custodians, local government, industry and government.
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In its first seven years (2001-2008) NACC NRM’s work was largely funded through two programs: The National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality (NAP) and the Natural Heritage Trust II (NHT). In turn, those programs were funded through a bilateral agreement between the Australian and Western Australian Governments. The body of work encompassed the priority management interventions identified in the NAR Regional NRM Plan. This work was implemented over three Investment Plans through 20 programs encompassing 117 projects across the region. Average Annual funding during this period was $8-9m.
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In 2008 the Australian Government replaced the NAP/NHT programs with the Caring for Our Country program and did not enter into a bilateral agreement with the WA State government. NACC NRM’s annual funding reduced to just under $4m per annum.
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As of June 2013 funding for Caring for Our Country program finished and was rebadged as the National Landcare Programme (NLP). This funding enabled continued delivery of NRM projects through to 30 June 2018.
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Following a tender process, in July of 2018 a new program, funded under NLP, badged ‘Regional Land Partnerships’ was negotiated between Federal Government and NACC NRM to deliver NRM services via a procurement model. Under this model, NACC NRM has continued to deliver NRM project services for the Federal Government under Regional Land Partnerhsips. In addition, we have delivered outcomes under a range of other state and Federal government programs including Threatened Species Strategy (Cth), Environment Restoration Fund (Cth), Indigenous Advancement Strategy (Cth), Future Drought Fund, State NRM Program (State), Preparing Australian Communities – Community Led (Cth) and Coastwest (State).
NACC is short for the Northern Agricultural Catchments Council. The name represents the holistic nature of the work the organisation does in protecting and repairing the landscape.
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A catchment is the area of land that ‘catches’ water, and over which water flows from rainfall, into a river or other wetland. Every piece of land in the world is part of a catchment. NACC is a representative group of the catchments in the Northern Agricultural Region which include the: Murchison, Hutt, Bowes, Chapman, Greenough, Irwin, Hill and Moore.
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Taking a ‘whole of catchment view’ which incorporates all the elements of the landscape (and coast if the catchment runs into the sea) is critical to securing the future of our precious natural resources.
NACC NRM acknowledges the Traditional Owners and original natural resource managers of the land and sea country of the Northern Agricultural Region. NACC NRM’s activities are conducted on the lands of the Yamaji and Noongar peoples; we acknowledge their elders past present and future for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture and the hopes of Aboriginal Australia.
The Northern Agricultural Region (NAR) covers 7.5 million hectares of WA, stretching across valuable agricultural land and environmental sites.
The NAR runs from Gingin in the South to Kalbarri in the north, east to Mullewa, Perenjori and Kalannie along the Local Government Area (LGA) boundaries.
The coastline and waters (to three nautical miles and including the Abrolhos Islands) also form part of the region. Broadacre agriculture is the predominant industry, but fishing, mining and tourism contribute strongly to the economy. The region is an enormously important producer of food for local consumption and export; and contains sites that are internationally recognised as biodiversity ‘hotspots’. The NAR is home to a population of over 60 000, with over half centred in the Geraldton-Greenough area.
Some of the critical management issues include increasing soil condition impacted by wind erosion and soil salinity and acidity, water quality and quantity, and restoring habitat to maintain unique flora and fauna.
The Northern Agricultural Catchments Council (NACC) is one of 56 regional Natural Resource Management (NRM) organisations around Australia, and one of six in Western Australia. Regional NRMs were established in the early 2000s by the Australian Government to deliver community-based projects to address environmental degradation at a regional or landscape scale.
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In the Northern Agricultural Region (NAR) a number of farm and catchment groups had already begun to collaborate across boundaries and, in 1995, formed the Northern Agricultural Integrated Management Strategy (NAIMS). NACC was formed from NAIMS in 2002.
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At establishment, each Regional NRM worked extensively with the regional communities to develop a detailed Strategic NRM Plan identifying the natural assets and their threatening processes across the entire region, and identified management actions required to maintain the health of the assets into the future.
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In its first seven years NACC’s work was largely funded through two programs: The National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality (NAP) and the Natural Heritage Trust II (NHT). In turn, those programs were funded through a bilateral agreement between the Australian and Western Australian Governments. The body of work encompassed the priority management interventions identified in the NAR Regional NRM Plan. This work was implemented over three Investment Plans through 20 programs encompassing 117 projects across the region. Annual funding averaged $8-9m.
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In 2008 the Australian Government replaced the NAP/NHT programs with the Caring for Our Country program, did not enter into a bilateral agreement with the State government, and reduced the funding to just under $4m pa.
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As of June 2013 funding for Caring for Our Country program finished and was rebadged as the National Landcare Programme that continued baseline funding for another four years at NACC.
As the pressures facing our environment continue to grow, support of our natural resources is crucial and clear planning for that support is essential.
NACC NRM’s Purpose is to ensure that the Northern Agricultural Region community values and actively protects our region’s natural capital, consistent with the Visions and Goals of NARvis.
Our Way, is Catalysing Community Conservation through passionate delivery of collaborative on-ground projects and education.
 Our Impact will be that the health of the natural resources and environment of the NAR are improved.
In delivering our strategic plan NACC NRM will continue to uphold with the highest regard, our positive organisational culture and our commitment to our organisational values.
For delivering our Purpose, Way, and Impact, and for making a lasting positive contribution to our region’s precious and unique natural environment.
Encompassing both teamwork within the organisation, and partnerships with external organisations and the wider community in working towards shared outcomes.
Demonstrating initiative and innovation aimed at ensuring that we and our communities thrive and adapt to ever-changing circumstances.
Acting with integrity, for our natural environment, for colleagues and partners, and for others within the wider community.
Remaining impartial in the way in which we conduct our business and interact with individuals, groups, and government and in so doing make informed decisions based on balanced and sound scientific information.
For over a decade, NACC NRM has been steering the region towards a sustainable, healthy future. NACC NRM will continue to work in partnership with the community, industry, and government to ensure we maintain a vibrant and prosperous region.
NACC NRM is privileged to support and learn from First Nations people and Traditional Owners, and is proud to be a committed member of the Reconciliation Australia community.
We recognise First Nations people hold unique knowledge and skills as the original natural resource managers of our region, and deeply value our partnerships with local First Nations business owners and groups. Reconciliation is a shared goal which requires all Australians to take action, reflected in the ongoing curation and implementation of an organisational Reconciliation Action Plan.
The Directors of NACC NRM have heard the call from First Nations representatives and resolved to support the Uluru Statement from the Heart. We accept the Statement’s invitation for all of us to work together for a better future that connects all Australians.
Click here to read NACC NRM’s endorsement of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
1. Know what’s happening in your region
NACC members receive a regular newsletter – NACC Notes – to keep them up to date with NACC activities and informed with the latest news in natural resource management.
2. Be first in line for events & workshops
Find out how NACC is working with the community, industry and government across a range of new and innovative initiatives to protect the unique land, water and wildlife across the region and learn about new environmental opportunities.
3. Have your say
Members receive the NACC annual report and are encouraged to attend the NACC Annual General Meeting. Members of NACC are eligible to stand for election to the NACC Board to have a direct say in NACC’s direction.
Not only that but…
4. Membership is free!
Every name added to the NACC membership list makes a difference.
Your feedback is important to us. If you have suggestions, questions, or would like to get involved in Natural Resource Management, please use the form below or contact our Geraldton office. We’re here to listen and help
Geraldton Office
4 Walton Close, Geraldton
Post: PO Box 7168, Geraldton, 6531
Phone: (08) 9938 0100
Office hours: 8:30am to 4:30pm
Forms
Expression of Interest Form 🞂
Suggest a Project Form 🞂
Membership Form 🞂
Donations Form 🞂
Contacts
NACC Board Members 🞂
NACC Staff 🞂
NRM Bodies & Groups 🞂
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. Â Â
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.