Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
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Corangamite partners with traditional owners
The Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CMA) is working with Aboriginal communities to protect the region's rich natural assets and cultural heritage.
The CMA, responsible for managing 1.3 million hectares of land from Ballarat to Geelong and along the Victorian coastline to Peterborough, has appointed a new Indigenous Officer to engage directly with the region's Aboriginal community organisations.
The appointment of the officer, Greg Edwards, is a first for Corangamite and one of a range of commitments the CMA has made to further Aboriginal involvement in environmental protection.
Funding
The position has received more than $300,000 over four years from the Australian and State Governments, as well as other contributions from the Victorian Government.
Activities
The CMA's Regional Natural Resource Management Facilitator Stewart Anderson said much of Greg's time was spent talking to Indigenous people about the delivery of environmental projects and programmes.
"Greg spends a lot of time discussing natural resource issues and how they can be addressed through the various Australian and State Government programs," Stewart said.
Corangamite's three Indigenous community organisations are the Framlingham Aboriginal Trust, the Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative and the Wathaurong Aboriginal Cooperative.
Many of these groups' cultural heritage sites, such as shell middens, artefact scatters and Aboriginal burials, can be found on lake foreshores, creek banks or sand dunes, and are protected by law.
Because CMA funded activities often take place near these cultural heritage sites, one of Greg's key responsibilities is to ensure management works like rabbit and erosion control, do not disturb them. He coordinates experts to carry out site assessments to ensure activities are conducted respectfully.
In June 2006 Greg was also involved in developing a Memorandum of Understanding with the region's Indigenous community organisations, setting out exactly how they'll work together in the interests of cultural and natural heritage protection.
Achievements
Stewart said there were multiple benefits from Greg's appointment.
"From a strategic point of view the CMA is learning a lot from the region's Traditional Owners about sustainable land and water management, and we're better placed to meet out legal responsibilities on cultural heritage," he said.
"The signing of the MOU was also a really significant achievement as it's one of the most substantial agreements of its kind in Victoria. We'll all be communicating and working together more frequently and effectively as a result."
More information
- Stewart Anderson, Regional NRM Facilitator: (03) 5232 9108 or stewart.anderson@ccma.vic.gov.au
- Greg Edwards, Indigenous Natural Resource Management Facilitator: (03) 5232 9143 or greg.edwards@ccma.vic.gov.au
- Corangamite CMA website: www.ccma.vic.gov.au
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