The NAR; Our Corner of the Sky

Whichever way you look at it, 2020 was EPIC and unforgettable.

Although 2020 has been very tough in other parts of the world, and indeed in some parts of Australia, the Northern Agricultural Region (NAR) of WA was not a bad place to ‘hide-out’ during a pandemic. We definitely had our fair share of challenges between bushfires, apocalyptic winds and home learning, but all-in-all, I think the NAR was ‘lucky country’ within the ‘lucky country’.

The NACC NRM team enjoyed a two day trip to Kalbarri, learning more about the NAR and each other.

Despite the challenges of 2020, the NACC NRM team has kept its foot on the pedal. During the year, the team submitted or directly supported more than 32 natural resource management (NRM) applications for projects in the NAR. Of these applications, 14 were successful (9 NACC NRM and 5 non-NACC NRM – a very good success rate given how competitive NRM funding is these days). There are still seven applications awaiting announcements, all of which are non-NACC NRM applications which we are very proud to have supported. The outcome of all of this hard work is going to make for a very busy 2021 in the NAR. And that’s good for natural resource management!

I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of everybody working and volunteering in natural resource management in the NAR. In particular, I want to recognise the efforts of those who have worked hard on their 2020 applications,but unfortunately were unsuccessful; we know how painful it is missing out.

2020 saw the beginning of NACC NRM’s Aboriginal Womens Conservation Team.

I am so proud of the NAR NRM community’s collaborative efforts during 2020 and even more excited for what the new year will bring. While we have achieved some great things during 2020 despite the challenges, the hard work has only just begun. Maintaining the strength in our collaborations will be no easy feat, but I can tell you that everyone at NACC NRM is 100% committed to these partnerships and collaborations, and the outcomes they will generate for natural resource management in the NAR in the long-term.

The Biodiversity crew Kane Watson and Jarna Kendle got out and about Malleefowl monitoring.

In addition to our collaborations to increase the amount of NRM on-ground activity in the NAR, we have also been updating the regional NRM strategy – NARvis. I am really excited about this work’s progress, particularly the regional strategy which is taking shape thanks to your many contributions. There are still opportunities to provide input. Our NARvis project officer will be out and about in the region in the first half of 2021. Online surveys will also be available to those wanting to contribute from afar.

All of these forward-planning outcomes have been delivered by the team, at the same time as they continued to deliver our already funded, on-ground activities throughout the region.

Our Coastcare team Tegan Knowles and Mic Payne hosted a huge community beach clean up day with funding from Midwest Ports Authority.

For example, our flagship ‘Gnow or Never’ project has worked with 12 landholders to undertake fencing, revegtation, and feral animal control activities across 1,382 ha for the conservation of Malleefowl. In addition,  our ‘Growing Great Ground’ project has received Expressions of Interest or signed up activities with 13 landholders to address wind and water erosion on farmland. We also:

This list is by no means all-encompassing. For example, it doesn’t include all of the events which were organised, then cancelled, then re-organised either online or in-person once the COVID-19 restrictions were eased in WA.

It would be remiss of me not to take this opportunity to acknowledge the very recent passing of Major General Michael Jeffrey, who supported a number of NACC NRM initiatives, spoke at our soil conferences and served as an inspiration for sustainable agriculture. His many accolades are too numerous to list here, but it is his tireless work to highlight the value of Australia’s soils and the issues they face, which has cemented him in the hearts and minds of those who are passionate about natural resource management in our region. We will be forever grateful for Maj. Gen. Jeffery’s contribution.

After the initial Feral Feast was cancelled due to COVID-19, our incredible Sustainable Agriculture team ran a bigger and better Feral Feast in October.

Finally, it is hard for me to put into words how proud I am to work with such a fantastic team. They have met the challenges of 2020 with grace, strength, professionalism, and resilience. In the face of the extraordinary challenges thrown-up by 2020, they went out and achieved some outstanding outcomes for sustainable NRM for our region. Based on this success, I’m confident that 2021 has some great things in store for us all.

Katherine Allen – CEO

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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.