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The National Landcare Network Board have met with the Federal Minister for Environment Josh Frydenberg in Parliament House.

The National Landcare Network (NLN) board met in Canberra on 23rd-24th May. Board members went to Parliament House to meet the Federal Minister for Environment Josh Frydenberg.

The Minister said the Government strongly valued Landcare and looked forward to hearing the community’s views on the design of the next stage of the National Landcare Program.

NLN is the national representative body for Landcare.  Its members are the peak Landcare bodies from each state and territory. Landcare NSW is represented on the NLN board by Landcare NSW Chair Rob Dulhunty.

Landcare NSW has secured funding, through NSW Environmental Trust, to build the skills, knowledge and capability of Landcare members across the state to participate in NRM decision making at all scales and levels.

One of the activities of the funded project is to support regional scale events across NSW between now and May 2018, through which the objectives of the program can be delivered.

Many regions already hold regional scale forums or events, so this funding is not to run additional activities but to enhance existing ones through the inclusion of capacity and partnership development sessions. There is $2,500 (GST exc) available for each region, to contribute to the costs of running the event. There is approximate allocation of $500 for trainer / presenter costs (fees, travel etc.) and $2,000 for event costs (advertising, venue, catering etc.).

In return for this contribution Landcare NSW will require a session in the program, that will build skills, increase community leadership and improve partnerships for Landcare; as well as a 30 minute timeslot for Landcare NSW. Standard evaluation questions will need to be asked of participants, and the results provided to Landcare NSW. Event promotional material will need to acknowledge the NSW Environmental Trust and Landcare NSW.

To access this funding a simple EOI form is being sent to all Regional Landcare Facilitators across NSW to work with their Landcare communities in planning and delivering the activity. This form should be submitted to Landcare NSW jennie@landcarensw.org.au for approval and allocation of Landcare NSW staff and / or Executive members to attend the event. Once approved, an invoice for $2,500 (GST exc) should be made to Landcare NSW Inc, 4/48 Tamar Street, Ballina NSW 2478 and emailed to jennie@landcarensw.org.au . There is also a report template to be completed within 1 month of the activity.

For more information please contact Jennie Coldham, Member Services Officer on 0427 260 258 email jennie@landcarensw.org.au

The NSW Minister for Primary Industries, the Hon Niall Blair, has showed through his words and deeds that he is a true friend of Landcare.

The Minister has portfolio responsibility for the NSW Local Landcare Coordinator Initiative and is central to shaping the future of Landcare in this State.

He allocated an hour for the visit but ended up staying for two, engaging in a genuine, open dialogue and impressing the endorsed Landcare representatives from around the State with his knowledge and understanding of the issues.

Landcare NSW Chair Rob Dulhunty opened the discussion by thanking the Minister for the NSW Government’s support for Landcare.

All Councillors had the opportunity to have their say.  A consistent message was that Local Landcare Coordinators, coupled with expanded state support, are having a positive impact and Landcare is undergoing a revival.  For example, in the West of the State the number of groups has gone from 6 to 22 and five more are under development, creating a network across a vast area that can be used for integrated activities such as pest management.

Councillors also talked about some of the challenges.  For example, the success of the program has led to growing interest from communities to participate in Landcare projects and activities.  This is making it difficult for the part-time coordinators and voluntary committees to meet demand.

The clear message from Councillors was that the program is making a difference; it needs to be not only maintained but expanded.

The Minister took a keen interest in reports from Councillors and expressed his ‘absolute commitment to Landcare’.

The new Chair of Local Land Services, Richard Bull, also attended the meeting and engaged in in-depth discussions with Councillors.

Richard Bull is a member of Holbrook Landcare and has a thorough understanding of the importance of a healthy Landcare movement.  He is keen to work closely with Landcare at the State level through the Joint Management Committee which he co-chairs with Rob Dulhunty and at the regional level.  He will be spending a considerable amount of time travelling and plans to meet with local Landcare wherever possible.

Landcare NSW views the NSW Government as our key partner and we are currently seeking continued funding and support.  At the same time, we are working to diversify our revenue and funding so we are not solely reliant on Government.

Minister Blair agreed, ‘Landcare shouldn’t live or die depending on what happens on Budget day’.

The Treasurer last night handed down the 2017-18 Federal Budget. The Coalition Government has underlined the importance of Landcare by investing more than $1 billion in the National Landcare Program (NLP).

It provides $1.1 billion over 7 years for Landcare, including the extra $100 million which was announced late last year.  This is welcome news and we look forward to seeing the detail.  The challenge is to ensure the funds reach the grassroots.

The NLP is jointly administered by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources and the Department of the Environment and Energy.

RELATED ARTICLES:

NSW Country Hour – 10 May – ABC Western Plains – Landcare NSW Chair, Rob Dulhunty

Media Release Future of $1 billion National Landcare Program secure – Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Barnaby Joyce.

You Asked, We Delivered

For a number of years one of the key things Landcare groups have asked for is cost effective insurance that provides adequate protection for group members.

Landcare NSW are now able to deliver on that need with the new Membership & Insurance Program which is launching soon.

For a number of years one of the key things governments at all levels, investors and partner organisations have asked for is accurate information about Landcare in NSW, the number of groups and volunteers involved – the army on the ground. The new Membership and Insurance program is one of the ways that Landcare NSW can deliver on this need.

Read more here

On Monday 20th June the Federal Environment Minister, Greg Hunt, announced the continuation of funding for Landcare’s peak bodies in all states and territories across Australia. The funding of one million per year will continue until 2018.

Landcare NSW Chair, Rob Dulhunty, welcomed the announcement. “This is excellent news and will allow us to get on with the job of building support for community Landcare.”

National Landcare Network Chair, Terry Hubbard, said, “The NLN is delighted that Minister Hunt has made this commitment to Landcare ahead of the election in July. Commonwealth Government investment has over recent years enabled the establishment of new Landcare representative bodies in those states and territories which did not previously have them, and strengthened capacity where they were already in place. We are especially pleased that Minister Hunt has announced two years of funding, as this will give our members more certainty in planning for the future which will in turn make them more able to service the Landcare groups and networks they represent.”

More available on the National Landcare Network’s website. To read the NLN’s latest newsletter for news from Landcare peak bodies around the country click here.

It is an exciting time for Landcare with the hiring of 66 new Local Landcare Coordinators, but it doesn’t stop here.

By June 30, 2019 the $15 million over 4 years from the State Government that funds the coordinators will cease. Whilst Landcare values our continuing partnership with all levels of government, the next three years present a window of opportunity to develop a sustainable funding source for Landcare support.

Landcare NSW is calling on Landcarers to contribute to discussions on how we can continue to build a sustainable Landcare for generations to come.

Information and supporting documents can be found on our website: Partnerships – Sustaining Landcare.

In this initial consultation period please send your feedback to sustaininglandcare@landcarensw.org.au.  More discussions will follow.