Forbes Urban Landcare Group

Project Profile

Issues

Formed in 1994 to address a major high watertable and salinity problem, Forbes Urban Landcare Group (FULG) is a well known and highly respected community group working in the township and surrounds of Forbes NSW on the Lachlan River to improve the local environment. The group’s achievements have local, sub catchment and catchment benefits.

Project Detail

Forbes Urban Landcare Group (FULG) has been nominated for a National Landcare Award for its ongoing contribution to the local community and environment.

Formed in 1994 to address the very high water table and salinity problem, FULG is a well known and highly respected community group working locally and with surrounding towns on the Lachlan River to improve the local environment. The group’s achievements have local, sub catchment and catchment benefits.

The group of 11 people from the local community, has raised awareness and improved knowledge in the area about environmental issues specifically in urban and township areas through ongoing education, demonstrations, partnerships and community work across 21 project sites.

The group has addressed various natural resource management (NRM) issues including revegetation, corridors, high watertables, salinity, drainage, erosion, recharge and discharge areas and protecting and restoring native vegetation.

The group has planted over 12,000 trees on recharge and discharge areas and has constructed and vegetated a wetland on a stormwater drain to improve the quality of the water entering Lake Forbes. FULG also provided advice and support to State Rail during the upgrade of the Forbes railway line to ensure the best environmental outcome and input into the RTA’s planned upgrade of the Newell Highway.

Through FULG’s projects, awareness activities and state government support to install water metres in urban areas, Forbes has recorded a drop in water use and wastage resulting in a drop in watertables and the area severely affected by salinity.

FULG has worked in partnership with a number of organisations including Forbes Shire Council, Forbes Livestock Health and Pest Authority, TAFE, the Lachlan Catchment Management Authority and local schools. These organisations have been instrumental in supplying and assisting in the development of project sites.

With the support of Forbes Shire Council, the group has developed two publications, distributed to local residents to raise awareness of the role of the community in protecting the environment.

Forbes Urban Landcare Group is one of 88 finalists in the National Landcare Awards to be announced in Canberra on 24 June 2010. Commencing in 1991, the Awards celebrate the achievements of individuals and groups that make a valuable contribution to the land and coast where they live and work.

Photography

Forbes Urban Landcare