cmas in review - archive.lls.nsw.gov.au · cmas also work collaboratively, rather than in...

CMAs IN REVIEW

THE REGIONAL APPROACH CMAs – A COMMUNITY INTERFACE

REACHING TARGETSBUILDING RESILIENT LANDSCAPES IN NSW

In 2004, the NSW Government placed the management of the State’s natural resources into the hands of regionalcommunities, as part of an ambitious reform agenda. With 89 per cent of NSW land privately managed5, theGovernment recognised that the voluntary participation oflandholders was critical to long-term environmental health.This regional approach aimed to develop greater localautonomy and trust, better tailored solutions for localconditions and long-term community ownership.

Thirteen NSW CMAs were established as the regionalorganisations responsible for planning and investing innatural resource management and are the only regionalgovernment organisations focused on natural resourcemanagement in NSW. CMAs have become integrated localorganisations that deliver NSW and Australian Governmentfunds, offering expertise to landholders and providing acoordination point from which communities can tackle naturalresource issues together. Partnerships have played a crucialrole, with CMAs providing a vehicle for governments toconsult, engage and work alongside communityorganisations, industries and individuals.

Since 2004, NSW CMAs have prepared 10 year CatchmentAction Plans and Investment Strategies, delivered $659.8 million of government funds directly to on-groundprojects and more than doubled the investment made bygovernments through support from private, industry andorganisational partners.

CMAs are lean organisations, where administration costs are kept to a minimum. Rigorous planning and monitoringsystems are put in place to ensure projects are delivered on time and result in planned environmental outcomes.

Other key CMA roles include assessing applications for nativevegetation clearing and management under the NativeVegetation Act 2003, undertaking practical and sustainablenatural resource management projects and providing accessto training and community education.

“NSW CMAs HAVEPREPARED 10 YEARCATCHMENT ACTIONPLANS IN CLOSECONSULTATION WITHTHEIR COMMUNITIES”

NSW CMAs have the difficult task of achieving the goals and objectives of their communities and many levels ofgovernment. To deliver this, CMAs have developed regionally-appropriate plans and management strategies with the ability to adapt to new science, emerging issues andgovernment priorities as they arise.

All thirteen NSW CMAs strive to meet one state-wide goal, as set down by the NSW Government in 2005: “Resilient,ecologically sustainable landscapes functioning effectively at all scales and supporting the environmental, economic,social and cultural values of communities6”. The overarchingmeasure of success is healthy, productive landscapes that can cope with change.

Individual CMAs address the six national priorities outlined inthe Australian Government’s Caring for our Country initiativeintroduced in 2008, as well as the 13 State Targets set out inthe State Plan for NSW.

Each CMA has developed a Catchment Action Plan (CAP) toaddress government targets and community priorities. These 10 year plans, developed in close consultation with the community, identify priority issues, set local targets and outline strategies for investment and management ofnatural assets within the catchment. The plans addressissues identified by landholders, all levels of government,Aboriginal communities, industries and community groups.The plans are also approved by Cabinet and take a whole ofgovernment approach.

Progress is measured against a set of standards7 developedby the NSW Natural Resources Commission, an independentauthority that audits the implementation of Catchment Action Plans8.

NSW CMAs have also implemented a Monitoring, Evaluation,Reporting (MER) program, to allow systematic and objectiveevaluation of natural resource management programs. The MER program is concerned with the collection, recording,analysis and use of gathered information, to adaptivelymanage investment, and to demonstrate natural resourcemanagement progress against catchment targets. Thesefindings are essential in supporting improved practices anddecision making, and to best measure outcomes at bothcatchment and state levels.

08

09

1 2 3 4 5 6

1WESTERN

2BORDERSRIVER-GWYDIR 3

NORTHERNRIVERS

5CENTRAL WEST

4NAMOI

11MURRUMBIDGEE

9LOWERMURRAY-DARLING

10LACHLAN

6HUNTER

CENTRALRIVERS

12MURRAY

13SOUTHERNRIVERS

7HAWKESBURYNEPEAN

8SYDNEYMETROPOLITAN

WESTERNSq km: 230,000

Population(approx): 18,000

Current Chair: Rory Treweeke, farmer and grazier

Term served: 5 years

BORDER RIVERS-GWYDIRSq km: 50,000


Current Chair: Dr Bob Crouch,grazier

Term served: 5 years (1 year as Chair)

NORTHERNRIVERSSq km: 50,000


Current Chair: Dr Judy Henderson,company director


NAMOISq km: 42,000


Current Chair: Jim McDonald,dryland croppingfarmer


CENTRAL WESTSq km: 92,000


Current Chair: Tom Gavel, farmer


HUNTER-CENTRAL RIVERSSq km: 37,000

Population(approx): 1.2 million

Current Chair: Dr Wej Paradice, CEO, Hunter Valley Research Foundation


7 8 9 10 11 12HAWKESBURY-NEPEANSq km: 22,000

Population(approx): 1 million

Current Chair: John Klem, grazier


SYDNEYMETROPOLITANSq km: 2,470

Population(approx): 3 million

Current Chair: Philip Sansom, local councillor

Term served: 5 years(1 year as Chair)

LOWER MURRAYDARLINGSq km: 63,000


Current Chair: Mark King,horticulturalist,grape grower andlocal councillor


LACHLANSq km: 84,700


Current Chair: Robert Gledhill,local councillor and landholder


MURRUMBIDGEESq km: 84,000


Current Chair: Lee O’Brien,farmer


MURRAYSq km: 35,170


Current Chair: Alex Anthony,irrigation farmer


13SOUTHERNRIVERSSq km: 32,000


Current Chair: Pam Green,planning anddevelopmentmediator


CMAs IN REVIEW

ENVIRONMENT STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN NSW

FUNDINGADDING VALUE TO GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT

The landscapes of NSW have been severely altered sinceEuropean settlement, to a point where entire species havebeen lost, productive farmlands are at risk, and our uniquebiodiversity is seriously threatened. With land and waterdegradation comes threats to viable urban and regionalcommunities and the industries they support, as well as ourcore social, environmental and Aboriginal heritage values.

Communities across NSW have been aware of, and haveworked hard to address, many environmental issues;however, the evidence of degradation is still clearly evident.The complex web of issues is different for individualcommunities and includes severe soil erosion, salinity, weedand feral animal infestations, loss of native vegetation andbiodiversity, decreased water quality and river health, soilhealth issues and more recently, climate change.

It will take time, major investment and in-kind resources, and the willingness of landholders and land managers toovercome these issues. CMAs, in partnership with others,have made significant inroads and it is critical these efforts are continued into the future with increased fundingand support.

“COMPLEXENVIRONMENTALISSUES HAVE BEENTACKLED WITH GREATPRECISION AT ACATCHMENT LEVEL ”

NSW CMAs have received $838.5 million in funding from theAustralian and NSW Governments since their inception in2004. CMAs have invested a large proportion of this funding,$659.8 million, directly to on-ground projects.

For every $1 invested by government, NSW CMAs haveattracted a further $2.20 worth of cash and in-kind supportfrom their communities and partners, to see a total $2.11billion invested in practical environmental works in the pastfive years. This is a measure of strong community support for CMAs, with significant value-adding based on trustedpartnerships with individual landholders, industries, business,local councils and community groups.

Key funding sources have included:

• Australian Government• National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality • Natural Heritage Trust • Caring for our Country initiative• National Landcare Program.

• NSW Government• Recurrent funding• Land and Water Management Plan • State Sustainability funding • Catchment Action NSW• State Salinity Enhancement • Soil Conservation Section 10• Environmental Services Scheme. • NSW Environment Trust• Premier’s Regional Partnership Fund.

This multi-level government support has allowed complexenvironmental issues to be tackled with great precision at thecatchment level, and CMAs have played the important role ofgathering funds from a variety of sources and delivering themto priority regional projects.

CMAs have also taken the initiative to develop their owninvestment strategies and to broaden their revenue streamsto complement government funding.

10

FOR EVERY $1 OF GOVERNMENTINVESTMENT, NSW CMAs HAVE ATTRACTED A FURTHER $2.20IN CASH AND IN-KIND SUPPORT

CMAs IN REVIEW

PARTNERSHIPS BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN

COMMUNITY OWNERSHIPLOCAL PEOPLE MAKING LOCAL DECISIONS

The protection and repair of our natural environment relies on many people working effectively together. Scientists,landholders, extension staff, government agencies, Aboriginalcommunities, land managers, community groups and funding bodies must all bring their expertise to the table inorder to find practical solutions to serious land and waterdegradation issues.

NSW CMAs have brokered hundreds of effective andmeaningful partnerships since 2004, and these are central to the success of the regional model. CMAs have fundedprojects, provided expertise to landholders, linkedneighbours, connected like-minded community groups,worked with local and state government agencies andsupported landcare9 networks.

These partnerships can only develop in an environment wherethere is community trust and respect. CMAs have workedhard to earn this by rolling their sleeves up, giving practicaladvice, delivering funds with less red tape, and demonstratingsuccess on the ground where it matters.

CMAs also work collaboratively, rather than in competition.They partner with each other, government agencies, non-government organisations, the scientific community,educators and investors, to deliver a truly integrated approachto natural resource management in NSW.

The regional model for natural resource management is allabout communities driving change. Based on mutual respect,on-ground action can be taken on private and public land byan army of willing volunteers.

True community partnerships are based on meaningfulrelationships. Thousands of community meetings were heldby NSW CMAs over the last five years to identify and prioritiseissues, develop Catchment Action Plans, monitor progressand report results. Every step of the way, CMAs involved asmany individuals, industries, landcare, community groups andAboriginal representatives as possible in critical decisionsabout the future of their catchments.

With the encouragement and support of CMAs, the people ofNSW have volunteered countless hours of community serviceto repair waterways, replace and fence native vegetation,remove weeds, monitor and recover species and improvefarming practices. Over 13,000 individual projects have beenfunded in every corner of the State, from coastal waters to thearid western environments.

“OVER 13,000INDIVIDUAL PROJECTSHAVE BEEN FUNDED INEVERY CORNER OF THESTATE, FROM COASTALWATERS TO THE ARID WESTERNENVIRONMENTS”

OUR PEOPLE THE ESSENTIAL INGREDIENT:COMMUNITY TRUST

THE FUTURE FOR NSW CMAs

NSW CMAs are led by Boards drawn from local communities,with diverse experience and skills in areas such as primaryproduction, cultural heritage, biodiversity and businessadministration. The Boards are appointed by, and reportdirectly to, the NSW Minister for the Environment, ClimateChange and Water, and adhere to strict governance controls.

Thirteen NSW CMAs, with over 500 full and part-time staff,operate from 73 regional offices, located from Bega in thesouth to Lismore in the north, Grafton in the east to BrokenHill in the west. Most staff live and work in their catchments, a major factor in the development of trust between CMAs andtheir communities.

CMAs provide an important extension role and have built theircapacity in this area at a time when many governmentagencies have reduced staff in the field or in front linepositions. Local people, particularly in farming communities,need to develop relationships with people they can trustbefore they will commit to major changes on their land. Highly trained CMA staff work hard to build theserelationships by providing practical advice to land managers,coordinating projects, organising education and field days,supporting landcare and Aboriginal networks, and makingsite visits to support those undertaking on-ground works.

In just five years, NSW CMAs have built strong regionalprofiles and credibility, based on partnerships where allparticipants work towards shared goals for their communities.

“IN JUST FIVE YEARS,NSW CMAs HAVE BUILTSTRONG REGIONALPROFILES ANDCREDIBILITY”

CMAs have a key place in the future of natural resourcemanagement in NSW. Over the last five years the regionalmodel has been an effective and cost efficient approach, withmany positive inroads made into some of the State’s greatestenvironmental challenges.

Critically, CMAs have proven to be flexible organisations thatcan adapt to changing government priorities, funding andpolicies and other emerging issues. The nature of our naturalresource systems means that improvements in environmentalconditions are likely to take some years to be fully realised, so continued investment is an important element in ensuringlong-term results.

There are exciting times ahead for NSW CMAs, with someimportant areas of focus for the next few years to include:• Helping our landscapes and communities adapt to climate

change• Complementing government investment by broadening

income streams• Applying principles of adaptive management to achieve new

priorities set down by the Australian Government under theCaring for our Country initiative, while still meeting Statepriorities

• Continuing to improve systems and processes foraccountability and transparent decision making

• Enhancing systems for monitoring, evaluation andreporting information, so as to become increasingly robustand consistent

• Adapting to, and applying, any new directions resulting fromfuture reviews of the NSW State Plan

• Continuing the core business of on-ground change, basedon community focus, community ownership and a regionalapproach.

Natural resource management requires long-term andcontinual planning, financial commitment and perseverance.CMAs are trusted and reliable community organisations thatcan support and motivate land managers and volunteers toachieve necessary changes. CMAs and their communitieshave made a great start. Future support and investment willensure this important work continues.

13

NSW CMAs HAVE WORKED ON ALMOST5 MILLION HECTARES OF LAND SINCE2004, EQUIVALENT TO 6 PER CENT OFTHE TOTAL AREA OF NSW

CASE STUDIES

CMAs WORKING WITHABORIGINAL COMMUNITIESTO CARE FOR OUR COUNTRY

CMAs MANAGINGNATURAL RESOURCES AT A LANDSCAPE LEVEL

RIVER RESTORATION – RESTORING LINKS TO‘COUNTRY’ AND CULTURE

Project Title: Wagga Wagga Traditional Owner RiverRestoration Project

TOTAL INVESTMENT: $5.4 MILLION

Through classroom training and hands-on work, the WaggaWagga Traditional Owner River Restoration project isproviding over 60 local Aboriginal people with qualifications,employment and an opportunity to reconnect with ‘country’and culture.

The team has reclaimed degraded sites along theMurrumbidgee River, transforming them into havens fornative wildlife and the community.

Since January 2007 the team have been successful in:• Planting more than 15,000 indigenous trees and shrubs• Removing up to 10 kilometres of weeds• Sowing six hectares of native grasses• Constructing 56 nesting boxes for gliders, possums, bats,

tree-creepers and parrots• Fencing vulnerable areas• Controlling erosion and stabilising riverbanks• Improving pathways and river access.

While improving the river sites, the trainees gained aCertificate III in Conservation and Land Management throughTAFE NSW, improving their future employment opportunitiesin natural resource management.

The team has identified sites of cultural importance andconducted tours, raising awareness of Cultural Heritage andenvironmental stewardship amongst the broader community.

One of eight projects of its kind, it demonstrates theMurrumbidgee CMA’s commitment to engaging TraditionalOwners and Aboriginal people, increasing Aboriginalinvolvement in natural resource management, creatingAboriginal employment opportunities and increasingcommunity awareness of natural and cultural values in the landscape.

The successful project is a result of collaboration between a diverse range of partners including Murrumbidgee CMA,Wagga Wagga Aboriginal Elders Group, Wagga Wagga City Council, Land and Property Management Authority, Group Training and Employment Services and TAFE NSWRiverina Institute.

REHABILITATION OF OUR RIVER REACHES

Project Title: Northern Rivers River Reach Program

TOTAL INVESTMENT: $450,000

The rivers of Northern NSW are in good hands, with aninnovative three-tiered rehabilitation program designed toallow communities to improve waterways as their naturalresource management capacity grows.

Funding for the River Reach program has proved competitive,despite requiring 60 per cent of landholders along a stretch ofriver having to commit to the project before its commencement.This indicates significant levels of trust have developedbetween the Northern Rivers CMA and local landholders.

Since the program commenced in 2005, a massive amount ofrestoration work has taken place on river reaches across theNorth Coast region, including:• Enhancing and rehabilitating over 330 hectares of riverine

corridor, including 1,700 kilometres of streambank• Establishing 210 voluntary conservation agreements• Planting over 8,000 riparian plants in 30 hectares of

riverine corridor• Protecting 165 hectares of riparian zone and 45 kilometres

of stream bank through fencing• Undertaking over 60 hectares of pest plant control• Stabilising almost 4.5 kilometres of riverbank by

engineering works• Protecting almost 30 kilometres of streambank by installing

over 60 alternative stock watering sites• Delivering 15 contracts for on-ground works to implement

River Reach plans, with 15 field days and six training eventsheld in 2007-08.

Complementing this on-ground work is an innovativemulti-partner research project tracking fish movement in the 22,500 square kilometre Clarence River catchment. The project examines river flow, fish movement, habitat useand barriers to fish passage. The research will generate newunderstanding about the seasonal patterns of fish movement,what constitutes a barrier to fish passage, and the criticalflows required by native fish species.

15

OVER 2 MILLION HECTARES OF SOILS HAVE BEEN IMPROVED BY NSW CMAs SINCE 2004, ENOUGH TO COVER 3 MILLION FOOTBALL FIELDS

CASE STUDIES

CMAs BUILDINGPARTNERSHIPS WITH THE COMMUNITY

CMAs TEAMING UP WITH THE CORPORATESECTOR

FIVE-FOLD LANDCARE RETURN IN THE HAWKESBURY-NEPEAN

TOTAL CMA INVESTMENT: $3.2 MILLION

A strong partnership between landcare and the Hawkesbury-Nepean CMA has seen landcare groups carry out $15 millionworth of environmental work since 2004, an almost five-foldreturn on the CMA’s $3.2 million investment.

Like many CMAs in NSW, the Hawkesbury-Nepean CMA iscommitted to supporting on-ground landcare and currentlyworks with 125 groups involving over 2,750 volunteers. These groups contribute a staggering 71,000 volunteer hoursand $2.3 million to environmental works in the catchmenteach year.

Landcare groups also attract a further $1 million in annualgovernment and private sector investment in environmentalrestoration, meaning $3.3 million is invested through landcarein these projects.

With ongoing support, the number of landcare groups hasbeen growing at eight per cent per year for the past five years.

Landcare groups range from locations in urban areas, on theperi-urban fringe and in agricultural districts of the catchment,where groups are restoring waterways and remnantbushland, or undertaking production-focused projects.

The Hawkesbury-Nepean CMA provides a range of supportincluding:• Providing insurance• Supplying first aid kits• Offering OH&S and technical training• Assisting access to various funding programs• Providing technical advice for projects• Offering ongoing group maintenance.

The Hawkesbury-Nepean CMA sees ongoing support oflandcare as critical to building a base of committed and expert volunteers working on private and public lands acrossthe catchment. The results of this successful partnershipclearly show the mutual benefits of working closely with thelandcare movement.

INDUSTRIES SAVE UP TO 20 PER CENT FROM TOWN WATERSUPPLIES IN THE NAMOI CATCHMENT

Project Title: Industry and Local Government Water UseEfficiency Program

TOTAL INVESTMENT: $950,000

A massive effort by businesses in the north-west of the Statehas seen water savings of up to 20 per cent from townsupplies, thanks to support from the Namoi CMA.

The project included water audits, infrastructure andefficiency improvements, with a number of large industrialwater users in major towns including Tamworth, Gunnedahand Narrabri.

One highly successful project saw 406,000 litres of rainwaterrunoff harvested from the Wests Leagues Club in Tamworthduring the 2009 Country Music Festival alone, which wasreused in the club’s amenities. It is estimated this rainwaterharvesting system will save Tamworth over 2.5 million litres of water each year.

In partnership with Waterwise NSW and the Namoi LocalGovernment Group, Namoi CMA realised that significantwater efficiency gains could be made across the wholecatchment by targeting the biggest commercial water users.

Water saving measures ranged from simple techniques suchas introducing flow control on taps and water points andbetter leak detection, through to water recycling and majorinfrastructure upgrades.

Namoi CMA aimed to assess and assist businesses to becomeas water efficient as possible, with the overall aim of reducingwater usage by increasing efficiencies. Businesses wereencouraged to implement simple options that could provideinstant reductions in water use, through to major worksneeding significant long-term investment.

17

CASE STUDIES

CMAs WORKING ACROSSCATCHMENT BOUNDARIES

CMAs LINKING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE

MANAGING INVASIVE NATIVE SCRUB ACROSS CATCHMENTS

Project Title: Invasive Native Scrub Research Program

TOTAL INVESTMENT: $3 MILLION

Thickening and encroaching native trees and shrubs overopen country is affecting rangelands across the globe,severely limiting pasture production.

Called Invasive Native Scrub (INS), this phenomenon wasrecorded as early as the 1870s in western NSW. It continues to be a major issue affecting agricultural production, propertymanagement and farm viability, and can lead to a range ofenvironmental issues.

The Central West and Western CMAs are working together tobetter understand the science of this phenomenon and thepracticalities of rehabilitating widespread areas of INS intomore natural mosaics of native pastures and open woodlands.

The CMAs, in conjunction with the NSW Department ofEnvironment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW), haveimplemented a research program to develop knowledge ofthis issue and fill information gaps. Around 80 landholdershave been directly involved; providing study sites, workingwith researchers and attending workshops and field days.

The key to the project’s success has been landholders openlysharing their experiences and demonstrating theirwillingness to tackle the problem.

Individual projects include research on the science of soilhealth and erosion, developing best practice for INSmanagement techniques and recording landholderexperience and knowledge.

Networks are also being developed with the Lachlan andNamoi CMAs to share information, work together on INS-related field days, and carry out other extension activities.

The research program has delivered rigorous science,practical resources, case studies and other information tohelp landholders and CMAs manage this critical issue, forboth environmental benefits and production outcomes.

Through collaborating on common issues such as this, CMAscan effectively engage communities across a broader scaleand make real differences to our natural resources.

CONNECTING SCHOOLS WITH THE ENVIRONMENT

Project Title: Schools Connections

TOTAL CMA INVESTMENT: $220,000

Over the last three years the Border Rivers-Gwydir CMA hasdirectly reached 5,000 students across every school within thecatchment, representing over a third of students, with aneducation campaign about how to be responsible landmanagers who care for the natural environment. One of thekey aims of the Schools Connection project is to foster ageneration of responsible stewards of the land.

The project focuses on preparing and delivering educationresources, activities and projects for teachers and students, to improve awareness and knowledge of natural resourcemanagement and an individual’s impact on the localenvironment.

A suite of educational resources pitched at a variety of levelshave been widely distributed to students and teachers, including:• Six education kits/packs that provide guidelines to

educators about composting in schools, waterways healthand management and lesson plans for incorporation intothe curriculum

• Ten readers aimed at school children aged between five andseven to assist them in learning to read

• One DVD showcasing the natural resources and communitiesaround the Border Rivers and Gwydir catchments

• One interactive CD-ROM for students and teachers to assistin understanding sustainable natural resourcemanagement

• Six outdoor education activities (run in conjunction with theeducation trailer) such as water bug identification, biodiversityand ecology activities, water quality testing and bird watching

• One outdoor education trailer that travels to schools andcommunity events, educating people about natural resourcemanagement

• Six competitions including the annual Property PlanningCompetition, Write-a-Reader Competition and Flags of OurCatchment Art Competition

• Nine newsletters called The CATCHee News updating anetwork of over 50 educators about environmentaleducation activities and resources

• The 2007 NSW Youth River Health Conference was alsoheld, attracting over 200 students.

The Schools Connection project involves a multi-level approachthat educates students from primary and secondary schools,TAFE colleges and remote communities. It has included aseries of well-supported activities and practical guides thatalign with the NSW school curriculum, such as HealthyWaterways Readers and Lunch Munchers Worm Farming kits.

18

OVER 1 MILLION HECTARES OF WEEDS HAVE BEEN

CONTROLLED DUE TO NSW CMAACTIVITIES SINCE 2004

NSW CMAs HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN 9,000 COMMUNITY EVENTSINVOLVING OVER 140,000 PARTICIPANTS SINCE 2004

cmas in review - archive.lls.nsw.gov.au · cmas also work collaboratively, rather than in...

Documents