Wheatbelt NRM

Project Profile

Issues

Wheatbelt NRM Inc., (formerly Avon Catchment Council) supports the Avon River Basin community at the forefront of sustainable agricultural land management in Australia. The group has developed powerful networks comprising individuals, community groups, industry, government and the education sector. Through these networks Wheatbelt NRM is involved in long-term strategic planning for a sustainable agricultural, social, environmental and economic future. The practical demonstration of its work can be seen in the major on-ground land management changes that have been implemented and are being planned for the future.

Project Detail

The Wheatbelt NRM group has been nominated for a National Landcare Award for its work in developing networks and projects to promote sustainable agricultural land management in Western Australia’s Avon River Basin.

As well as its emphasis on land management outcomes, Wheatbelt NRM works to maximise the social and community benefits arising from building networks with individuals, community organisations, government and educational institutions. Members of these networks work together to make decisions about the long term social, economic and environmental health of their region. The group members of Wheatbelt NRM believe that the most effective way to bring about sustainable land management change is through the development of large groups of motivated volunteers, who, through working towards long term goals, are ideally placed to implement the strategic goals for the basin into best management practice in their every day on-farm management.

Wheatbelt NRM has developed a community engagement strategy that builds upon the partnerships that already exist in the region. This engagement strategy identified  six sub-regions based on Regional Organisations of Councils, and has employed a Natural Resource Management Officer to build relationships with local farmer groups to help develop opportunities for land management change.

Through the network it has developed, Wheatbelt NRM has facilitated the large-scale targeted farm forestry plantings into agricultural systems. In partnership with organisations such as the Oil Mallee Association, Australian Sandalwood Network and AVONGRO, Wheatbelt NRM has facilitated the sowing of 4.3 million tree seedlings in the Avon region to address priority issues including salinity, waterlogging and erosion.  Collaboration with the Saltland Pastures Association resulted in approximately 3 000 hectares of saltland pastures being established by 346 landholders, to rehabilitate some of the most degraded environments in Australia.

Wheatbelt NRM has a strong record in maximising community and environmental outcomes through considered project planning.  An example of this was the Salinity Tender project that was implemented under the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality, and used a market-based instrument approach to attain the most valuable environmental benefits per dollar of public funds invested.

The key to the group’s success in more than 20 years of work may be seen in its approach. Its priority has been to support the practical decision making process of farmers in progressing through phases of motivation and exploration of a changed management practice. As one group member said, “We build relationships with farmers over years, not months, to have regional natural resource management objectives considered in the complex decisions that they make every day.

Wheatbelt NRM 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

Wheatbelt NRM