Desert Channels Queensland NRM Group

Project Profile

Issues

Desert Channels Queensland (DCQ) prides itself on its organisational stability, its innovation, and its capacity to develop valuable and productive partnerships across the very dynamic region. Central to its success in fostering these partnerships is the DCQ NRM’s provision of innovative extension services and its understanding of what the community needs at any given time, and its understanding that the community needs are ever-changing.  Accordingly, services to meet the community’s needs have to be flexible and responsive.

Project Detail

The Desert Channels Queensland NRM Group has been nominated for a National Landcare Award for its commitment and innovation in delivery of services to the Desert Channel communities.

Desert Channels Queensland (DCQ) prides itself on its organisational stability, its innovation, and its capacity to develop valuable and productive partnerships across its very dynamic region.

An example of the effectiveness of DCQ can be seen in a snapshot of its achievements. DCQ has exceeded some of its own targets by considerable amounts.  In one project alone, where the identified target was to improve the condition of DCQ assets at 200 locations across the region by 2009, already nearly 400 projects have been delivered, including projects ranging from traditional Landcare works such as protection of riparian zones to strategic weed management along river systems.

DCQ has consistently maintained strong relationships with all of its community groups. In partnership with six of its groups, DCQ co-hosted the Queensland Landcare Conference held in Longreach in October last year. The conference saw the promotion of outback Landcare, featured the wide ranging activities under the Landcare umbrella, including strong showing of Indigenous NRM from across the region and broader Queensland. DCQ is the first regional NRM body ever to host the State Landcare Conference and DCQ believes this is a testament to the working relationship and mutual respect between the Landcare groups and DCQ within the region.

The impact of woody weeds is seen as the most significant NRM issue in the DCQ region, and it represents the key activity and target area of the Landcare network. DCQ has provided funding, training, extension facility and support to all Landcare groups.  The DCQ team attends Landcare group meetings, as well as supporting and holding relevant field days and workshops promoting healthy, sustainable land management.

Recently, in partnership with its seven shire councils, DCQ researched, designed and placed 60 bill-board sized interpretive signs at key locations across the region.  These signs included information about topics such as local history, indigenous culture, flora and fauna, and environmental threats.  This region-wide education and awareness exercise has been a roaring success, embraced by local and travelling communities.

Central to its success in fostering these partnerships is the DCQ NRM’s provision of innovative extension services and its understanding of what the community needs at any given time, and its understanding that the community needs are ever-changing.  Accordingly, services to meet the community’s needs have to be flexible and responsive.

The Desert Channels Queensland NRM 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

Desert Channels Queensland NRM Group