Posted 21/2/09
Victorian Landcare Council Formed...
COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE VICTORIAN LANDCARE COUNCIL MEETING
On 7 & 8 November 2008, an historic meeting took place - the inaugural meeting of the VICTORIAN Landcare COUNCIL. Two Landcare delegates whom have been elected/selected by Landcare members from each of the 10 CMA regions have accepted the responsibility to represent the volunteers of Landcare in creating the peak body in Victoria.
Victorian Landcare Council (VLC) has been created
‘To represent the interests of volunteer Landcare in Victoria, in pursuing a healthy and sustainable environment’.
The formation of a body representing volunteers has been discussed at State forums and in regional meetings over many years. Despite Victoria being the home of the Landcare movement, its members have never had an independent voice since its inception in 1988. Landcare has been part of the agenda of other organisations, but none has Landcare as its primary focus and, until now, no organised group existed to independently represent Landcare views.
There is little argument that Landcarers have significantly improved farms and public lands across Victoria. Surveys estimate that 60% of farmers participate in Landcare activities. Many hectares of farmland have been revegetated, plant and animal biodiversity has increased and that Landcare farming initiatives have had a significant impact on cropping and grazing practices. Research suggests that up to 75% of farmers use Landcare groups as their source of farm management information.
The need for sustainable land management practices is greater now than ever before as climate change affects our seasons and our environment. The need to adapt to change is a key challenge for us all. Other key issues that have been identified by Landcare members include the continuity of funding for staff and projects and communication between the various Natural Resource Management (NRM) agencies and volunteer Landcarers. Landcare achievements are too frequently captured by others in the NRM system and the benefits are lost from the Landcare record. The task for the Council over the coming months and years is to determine how best to represent Landcare on these and other issues, as identified by the volunteers of Landcare.
In achieving this task, we hope to:
connect to/communicate with Landcare groups and members to understand more fully their issues and concerns.
learn how to tell our Landcare story more effectively, including developing an overview of the complexities and dynamic processes that exist for Landcare, as well as compiling a more comprehensive view of the outcomes achieved by Landcare projects.
create Regional Forums to bring together Landcare members more often as a way of strengthening connections and knowledge
advocate for Landcare issues by representing the Landcare perspective at the policy and decision-making levels whilst respecting the Landcare community’s diversity.
create cooperative partnerships to effectively impact on those issues that are identified by our Landcare groups
develop an information hub and broking role by fostering communications between the various NRM agencies and volunteer Landcarers.
The Council is looking forward to developing strategic alliances and partnerships and sitting at many tables in order to achieve our purpose.
Contact Information:
Leon Trembath, VLC Chair
(03) 5186 1333
Roger Hardley, VLC Secretary
03) 5237 6272
wilddogs2@bigpond.com
Leon Trembath, Chair
Peter Schwarz, Deputy Chair
Roger Hardley, Secretary
Julia Gibson, Treasurer
Wayne Bryce
Barry Elliot
Judy Griffiths
Iesyten Hosking
Peter Huthwaite
· Communication
· Regional Forums
· Rules/constitution/procedures
Roger Hardley - Corangamite CMA
Geoff McFarlane - Corangamite CMA
Irene Butterworth – East Gippsland CMA
Ian Clues – East Gippsland CMA
Wayne Bryce - Glenelg Hopkins CMA
Alanna Burton - Glenelg Hopkins CMA
Peter Schwarz - Goulburn Broken CMA
Delegates to be selected – Mallee CMA
Barry Elliot - North Central CMA
Judy Griffiths -North East CMA
Julia Gibson - Port Phillip &Western Port CMA
Peter Huthwaite - Port Phillip &Western Port CMA
Mike Carnell – West Gippsland CMA
Leon Trembath – West Gippsland CMA
Iestyn Hosking - Wimmera CMA
Ross McDonald - Wimmera CMA