Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
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site specific
region wide
Balance needed between environmental & social issues
The Little River lies in the middle of the triangle between Parkes, Orange and Dubbo in New South Wales and is part of the Central West Catchment area.
In 1998, members of 14 Landcare groups decided to take steps to care for their local environment and this led to the development of the Little River Catchment Management Plan.
Funding
With funding from the Australian Government and support from the New South Wales Government, the community researched and developed a local catchment plan.
Activities
Little River Landcare's Catchment Management Plan provided them with many answers to promoting a diverse, healthy environment. It also highlighted unforeseen issues in the area.
Little River Landcare Officer Fergus Job said the Plan consisted of three stages.
"The first stage included looking at the area's physical data," he said. "In the second we targeted priority issues and developed best management options applicable to different Land Management Units."
These best management options are different to best management practices as farmers can choose from a range which option suits their circumstances best. "One option won't necessarily fit everyone," Fergus said.
"The third stage includes a cost benefits analysis and the physical application of the Plan."
Achievements
The Plan has brought people from different areas - with different ideas and methods - together to focus on taking responsibility for their catchment area.
"The Little River Project fits into the regional natural resource management model quite nicely," Fergus said.
Attempts are being made to engage people from townships in the catchment that covers part of four local government areas, so that all can feel responsible for the environment.
"We need to show people how to profit from this," said Fergus. "The difference in our project is that it was driven purely by farmers and the community. Their interest is in sustainable farming."
Fergus said an unexpected issue arising out of the community engagement was the importance of targeting rural social issues as well as environmental issues.
"It has become clear to the group that a natural balance occurs between the environmental and social outcomes," said Fergus. "Unless social issues are also fixed, positive environmental outcomes will soon revert. This includes things such as community strength, business structures and mental health."
More information
- Fergus Job, Little River Landcare Officer: (02) 6846 4569
- Little River Landcare website: www.littleriver-landcare.org.au
See also
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Links to another web site
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