Category: News

Minister McCormack expresses support for Landcare

Excerpt from Looking at Landcare – published in Parkes Champion Post & Forbes Advocate, 20 July 2018

Hi Landcarers!

It was a pleasure to meet with The Hon Michael McCormack MP this week in his ‘nearly new’ Parkes Electoral Office.

Joining me was Chairperson of Landcare NSW, Mr Robert Dulhunty and Dr Adrian Zammit, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Landcare NSW.

Rob has led the Landcare NSW Council and staff through significant change over the past several years, with the outlay of the Local Landcare Coordinator Initiative across NSW, providing an opportunity to employ over 70 part time coordinators over three-and-a-half years, resourcing and supporting communities. It was a pleasure to have Rob join us for this meeting.

As part of the important evolution of Landcare NSW as organisation who provide support to these roles over the State, Adrian was appointed to the role of CEO in February to assist with the process of transition. Central West Lachlan Landcare were pleased to welcome Adrian back to our area as part of this meeting.

We were fortunate to have the opportunity to meet with Minister McCormack, who expressed that he has always been a big fan of Landcare. We appreciate his support of Landcare NSW and assistance to enable the Landcare community to increase our connection with the Federal Government.

It is with funding provided by the State Government to Landcare NSW, for the LLCI and with the support of Parkes and Forbes Shire Councils, the National Landcare Programme and other project funds that we continue our work.

Funding for the existing LLCI will end in June 2019. Landcare NSW and Local Land Services are working to put forward a new business case to the State Government to ensure the continuation of the project over the following four years, which I have been fortunate to be part of.

Last month, Aurecon Infrastructure Advisory estimated the net benefits delivered by a supported Landcare community in NSW to be $500 million a year. I am not an economist, but I would say that this is a pretty good investment of $15 million over four years!

To extend and fully deliver a fully resourced, four-year program post June 2019, Landcare NSW will require $32.5 million. I know….initially you think, holy cow….that’s a lot of dosh, but when you distribute that to the 70 part time roles over four years and then look at the infrastructure required to support such a program, you realise that this is beyond good value for money!

The support from both State and Federal governments is crucial to be able to deliver Landcare across the Parkes and Forbes Shires and Central West Lachlan Landcare and Landcare NSW look forward to continued support from Minister McCormack and the Federal Government.

For further information and links to further information in this article, please go to our website at centralwestlachlanlandcare.org, our facebook page, cwllpo@hotmail.com or ring 02 6862 4914.

Until next week, happy Landcaring!

Marg Applebee, Local Landcare Coordinator – Central West Lachlan Landcare

Economic value of Landcare estimated at $500 million pa

A study released estimates the net benefits delivered by a supported NSW Landcare community to be $500 million a year, based on the data available.

The report by Aurecon Infrastructure Advisory, commissioned by Landcare NSW with support from NSW Local Land Services, studied Landcare in selected regions, identifying and confirming substantial economic value. The study reviewed the literature, summarised data and applied economic valuation techniques to estimate the significant contribution Landcare makes in NSW.

Landcare NSW Chair Rob Dulhunty was pleased with the report’s findings, but not surprised.

“Anyone associated with Landcare will testify to the value it provides. The outcomes Landcare generates for the environment, agriculture and people are widely known. This study puts a dollar value on these benefits,” said Mr Dulhunty.

Aurecon’s assessment of the benefits of Landcare in NSW shows the impact of a supported Landcare network is significant. It highlights the importance of the contribution made by Landcare NSW, through its role as a statewide peak body and through programs such as the Local Landcare Coordinator Initiative which it jointly manages with NSW Local Land Services, in helping achieve these outcomes.

The study’s author, Senior Economist, Kapil Kulkarni, presented his findings from this landmark research at a forum held at Parliament House in Sydney on 21 June 2018.

“The Aurecon team learned a lot about Landcare during the study and we were amazed by how much of a difference Landcare makes to communities and the environment across NSW.

“We couldn’t quantify the benefits of all activities. However, we found significant economic benefits associated with the subset of activities we could value. The benefits are likely to be larger than what we are able to estimate based on the available data,” said Mr Kulkarni.

Read the full report below:

Landcare NSW regional data snapshots – Impact of a supported Landcare in NSW 

Watch the video recording of the presentation:

Quantifying the Value of Landcare Forum – 21 June 2018

Muster helps to shape the future of Landcare in NSW

Landcare NSW would like to thank all Landcarers who participated in or contributed to the 2017 NSW Landcare Muster.

The 2017 Muster provided an opportunity for the diverse Landcare community to capture collective issues and consistent themes. The outcomes of the ‘many hands one voice’ concept of the Muster guides the actions of Landcare NSW between Musters. The Final report of the Muster has now been completed.

“Since 2007 Landcare NSW has hosted a biennial Muster to gain feedback from grassroots Landcarers about issues of importance to them and their communities,” said Landcare NSW Chair Mr Rob Dulhunty.

“This final report captures your input at the 2017 Muster. This provides Landcare NSW with guidance as to matters of importance to grassroots Landcarers, and suggests actions that can help achieve the outcomes desired.

“All level of Landcare have a role in working towards these outcomes – Landcare NSW commits to doing so at the state level; and as we look forward to supporting local Landcarers in achieving outcomes at the local district and regional scales,” Mr Dulhunty said.

To read the full report, click below:

2017 Landcare NSW Muster Report (pdf)

The Local Landcare Coordinator Initiative is Building Momentum

A recently-completed Progress Report shows the NSW Local Landcare Coordinator Initiative (LLCI) is achieving results and helping to build momentum across the State.

The report highlights the positive difference Landcare is making with the support of the NSW Government and Local Land Services.

Landcare NSW Chair, Rob Dulhunty says the report clearly shows the value of a supported Landcare community.

“This report shows what can be achieved when Landcare is supported and how government investment in Landcare creates value. As a result of the LLCI we have seen Landcare groups revitalised, partnerships created and funds leveraged. Morale has improved, groups have gained new skills and accessed new resources. Most importantly we are seeing real change on the ground.

“Landcarers willingly give their labour, time and expertise to manage our natural resources. Supportive government policy and funding will ensure Landcare continues to help meet the challenges we must face to better manage and protect our natural resources,” said Mr Dulhunty.

Key findings and achievements highlighted in the report include:

  • 63% of groups reported an increase in participants
  • 87% of groups reported they had the skills and expertise to achieve their goals
  • 73% of groups reported an increased in grant applications submitted due to the involvement of the Local Coordinators
  • 424 case studies have been produced to showcase what Landcare groups are achieving on the ground
  • Increase in capacity to share and learn from each other
  • Opportunity for local Landcarers to participate in state wide events
  • Increases in regional communication
  • Increases in capacity in central support infrastructure
  • Increases in capacity for good governance locally and regionally
  • NSW Local Land Services and Landcare working together at state and local levels

The LLCI is a $15 million, four year project to renew the Government/Landcare community relationship by investing in and unlocking the potential of the thousands of volunteers of the Landcare movement in NSW.

The Local Landcare Coordinator Initiative is funded by the NSW Government and is supported through the partnership of Local Land Services and Landcare NSW.

Read the full report:
LLCI-Progress-Report-April-2018

Sustaining Landcare – on the radar but no certainty

The message about the need for continued Government funding and a clear policy framework for Landcare support is cutting through thanks to the hard work of local Landcarers.

Landcare groups across the State have written to their local Member of Parliament about the positive impact of the Local Landcare Coordinator Initiative and the need for the partnership with Government to continue.

While Landcarers accept the need to diversify funding and find new avenues to fund Landcare infrastructure and projects, the widespread view of the Landcare community remains that Government funding is fundamental to match the enormous voluntary, financial and in-kind contribution of the community.

The Minister for Primary Industries, the Hon Niall Blair, has indicated a willingness to discuss future funding. Landcare is on the radar but we don’t know what the future holds. The Minister is a strong supporter of Landcare, as is the Chair of Local Land Services, Mr Richard Bull. This unity has been critical to the momentum that has been built over the past three years.

The LLCI concludes in June 2019 and Landcare NSW has emphasised the importance of maintaining continuity and momentum. The new arrangements under the National Landcare Program are not yet known however it appears the picture across the State varies greatly.

$32.5m needed for local, regional and statewide Landcare support

Landcarers are urging the NSW Government to continue working with Landcare NSW on a policy and funding package to ensure Landcarers in rural, coastal and urban areas have the support they need to carry out their valuable work to protect and restore our natural resources.

The Government’s NSW Local Landcare Coordinator Initiative ends in June 2019. To enable a seamless transition to the next phase of the program, an allocation is sought in this year’s State Budget. Read more here.

“The NSW Government has been consistent in its support for Landcare, as have all MPs through the NSW Parliamentary Friends of Landcare. We can’t risk breaking the momentum that’s been built over the past three years,” said Landcare NSW Chair Rob Dulhunty.

“With leadership from the NSW Government and Local Land Services, Landcare is undergoing a resurgence. We’re seeing new groups forming and old groups being revived, leading to a substantial increase in voluntary activity to protect and restore our natural resources.

“Landcare makes economic sense. Our 60,000 Landcarers invest their own time and money in activities that otherwise would fall to governments to provide at a far greater cost.

“Good work is happening around the State but to keep it going Landcarers need continued support,” said Mr Dulhunty. See this short video about the impact of Local Coordinators.

Recently the Minister, the Hon Niall Blair MLC, was asked a question in Parliament. He expressed his strong support for Landcare while querying why the $15 million for the current Local Landcare Coordinator Initiative (LLCI) has increased to an estimated $32.5 million.

The $32.5 million covers the four year cost of an effective Landcare support program of local and regional Landcare coordinators and statewide services provided by Local Land Services and Landcare NSW.

In 2014 Landcare NSW advised the Government the cost of Landcare support was around $30m over four years. The $32.5m estimate for the next period includes a previously unfunded element, that of an Aboriginal Landcare initiative, which the Landcare community has consistently identified as a high priority.

The actual amount required from the State Government Budget is reliant upon the level of co-investment from the partnership with Local Land Services and possibly other NSW Government agencies. Funding provided to the NSW Government from the Federal Government’s National Landcare Program (NLP2) is a key consideration. Landcare NSW is also working to generate revenue through membership, donations and fee-for-service arrangements to contribute to the funds needed.

The constraints of all partners and governments are recognised, however a partially funded Landcare support program is unviable and will diminish the returns on investment achieved through the initial four year initiative. With ongoing core support, Landcare groups will be able to continue building partnerships and bringing funding opportunities to their regions, generating a host of spin off benefits.

Read more here: https://landcarensw.org.au/partners/

The new Biodiversity Conservation Trust – programs announced for 2018

Biodiversity Conservation Trust Board Director The Hon. Gary Nairn AO, Director Regional Delivery, Alan Goodwin and Mark Sheahan, Regional Coordinator North Coast came and spoke to the Landcare NSW Council as part of the February Council meeting in Sydney.

The Minister for Environment and the BCT Chair, the Hon. Robert Hill, recently launched the BCT’s Business Plan and announced the first round of BCT programs to be rolled out from this month.

The BCT is offering $37 million in its first round of programs in 2018; and will offer a further $60 million in 2018–19.

In March and April, it will call for up to $16 million in tenders from interested landholders to participate in the Conservation Management Program. The first three tender invitations will target high environmental values in parts of the Murray-Riverina, Northern Inland and Central West regions.

BCT Chairperson the Hon. Robert Hill AC said, “In April, we will invite tenders for up to $2 million to protect priority koala habitat, initially on the North Coast.

“We have set aside $2 million to support fixed rate offers to landholders with high biodiversity conservation values on their land wishing to enter funded conservation agreements. This will apply across high priority areas and will be available from 30 April 2018.

“We have dedicated $2 million per annum for Conservation Partners Grants. From 30 April, our existing and new landholders will be able to apply for grants from the BCT to support conservation actions, such as pest or weed control on their properties,” Mr Hill said.

The BCT has also allocated $15 million to its Revolving Fund, which will purchase high conservation value properties and resell them with a conservation agreement to interested purchasers.

The implementation of some BCT programs – such as the Conservation Tender – will require additional support and collaboration from Local Landcare Coordinators and Host Organisations, and the BCT will provide support to Landcare to assist with this.

Click here to read the full media release from the Minister for Environment, Gabrielle Upton and the BCT Business Plan here.

Minister Blair updates Parliament on Landcare

Minister Blair has portfolio responsibility for the NSW Local Landcare Coordinator Initiative. Here’s what he said in Parliament on 13 February regarding the future of the LLCI:

The Hon. NIALL BLAIR (Minister for Primary Industries, Minister for Regional Water, and Minister for Trade and Industry):
I thank the honourable member for this important question. This Government, at the instigation of Troy Grant, who was the patron of Landcare, committed $15 million to Landcare NSW to provide for Landcare coordinators across the State. I know that many members of this House are members of the NSW Parliamentary Friends of Landcare. We have all stood together at Landcare events held in Parliament House and seen the fantastic work that the coordinators do and facilitate across New South Wales. If that work could be presented on a spreadsheet, I am sure it would demonstrate that the return on investment is off the scale. Although presenting that effort on a spreadsheet is extremely difficult, we have all seen evidence of it and we commend the coordinators on the work they do.

The Government is going through the process of preparing its budget. We look at all programs that are funded to see what is needed or wanted. Part of the $15 million funding was to help Landcare NSW develop business plans to reduce their reliance upon the State budget in determining their success over the next 12 months. It was about helping them to look at innovative ways of becoming self-sufficient, such as how they do their membership programs, and other ways they can continue to raise revenue so that they are “government-proof”. I use that term because I do not want an organisation like Landcare to be low-hanging fruit for an expenditure review committee, a Treasurer or a Minister in the future. That was the reason this funding was provided: so that they could work on a business model to be able to stand on their own two feet and continue the fantastic service they provide across New South Wales.

I have seen some of the work they have prepared in doing that. I am confident that they are as strong an organisation today as they have been for many decades. In the 1990s Landcare was a fantastic organisation. It went into a bit of a slumber, but it is back in New South Wales. I commend Rob Dulhunty and Landcare NSW for the work that they are doing. As we go through the preparation of the budget, the funding from the Government to Landcare and other organisations are things that we always consider. However, I know we will not need to put another investment like $15 million into Landcare because of the role that they have played as well as the funding that is coming out of Canberra for some of these natural resource management initiatives. We will continue the budget process. I am not in a position to say at the moment whether that funding will be forthcoming because of the need to consider what they require and whether the Government will be able to continue to provide what it has in the past to support Landcare NSW.

Read more about how Landcare NSW is working to enable a seamless transition to the next phase of the program here: https://landcarensw.org.au/partners/

New Chief Executive Officer for Landcare NSW

Landcare NSW has announced the appointment of Adrian Zammit as new CEO to steer the organisation through the next stage of growth.

The CEO’s role will be to build partnerships, generate new funding sources and deliver services that are valued by the Landcare community.

Adrian comes to Landcare NSW from his previous role as Chief Operating Officer with Healthy Land and Water, an independent not-for-profit responsible for protecting natural resources in South East Queensland.

With the support of the NSW Government and Local Land Services, Landcare NSW is building its capability and capacity to better support the 60,000-strong volunteer Landcare community.

Landcare NSW Chair, Rob Dulhunty, said he was delighted with the appointment, describing Adrian as a highly qualified person for the job with a science and commercial background, and a passion for working with the community to change the way we interact with the natural environment.

“As a result of programs underway, including the Local Landcare Coordinator Initiative, the operational task of leading Landcare NSW has grown significantly. We felt the time was right to engage our first Chief Executive Officer to support the valuable work that our member groups and volunteer Landcarers do,” said Mr Dulhunty.

“A healthy and well supported Landcare movement will equip us for future challenges and empowers capable and willing volunteers to work to protect and restore our natural environment.”

Adrian has a Master of Business Administration (General and Strategic Business Management) and a PHD in Agriculture.

He is a senior executive and team builder with over 24 years’ experience in numerous leadership, senior executive and technical leadership roles in environmental consultancy and advisory companies.

Landcare NSW is seeking an Executive Support Officer

Landcare NSW is a member based organisation.

• Exciting opportunity for a suitably experienced and qualified person to join Landcare NSW as the Executive Support Officer working with a longstanding and successful grassroots community and environmental movement.
• Rewarding role in a dynamic organisation with a supportive team
• Sydney based position – location inner south
• 0.5 EFT (flexible hours negotiable) temporary up to 30 June 2019, with the possibility of extension with further funding
• Salary $32-$35 per hour dependent upon skills and experience, plus employer’s contribution to superannuation

An opportunity exists for a suitably experienced and qualified person to join Landcare NSW as the Executive Support Officer. The successful candidate will have extensive experience in a similar role and possess exceptional administrative and executive support skills.

Reporting to the Business Manager the role will provide executive support and office administration services to the Chair, CEO, Executive Committee and senior staff to assist them in delivering internal operational and governance requirements.

The successful candidate will work with a small team of dedicated staff to deliver events and activities that assist the Council of Landcare NSW meet its strategic objectives.

To apply, please download the job package.
Applications must be lodged by email to: administration@landcarensw.org.au
Applications must be submitted by midnight Monday 19th February 2018
Contact: Leigh McLaughlin, Landcare NSW
Ph 0412 234 832; Email: lmclaughlin@landcarensw.org.au

Follow this link to the position description, we encourage you to share the opportunity widely to help us find the best person for the role.