Farming Communities Working Closely Together
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Landcare In Focus November 2017 ~ www.landcareaustralia.org.au Farming communities working closely together THE National Landcare Program comprehensive understanding (NLP) is the key element in of the approaches, successes and the Australian Government’s failures in community engagement commitment to natural resource and natural resource management management. across the Landcare movement. One billion dollars has been The regional delivery model for invested over the last four years NLP funding was also scrutinised through Australia’s 56 regional as part of the review process to natural resource management investigate whether it was an bodies, and through programs effective approach to achieving of national significance, such our national natural resources as World Heritage Grants, 20 management and agricultural million Trees, Reef Plan 2050, and productivity outcomes. the Indigenous Protected Areas The methods used to program. review the NLP included an The NLP also delivers on many on-line stakeholder survey other government priorities, during 2016 (more than such as advancing the interests of 900 responses received), an Indigenous Australians, especially independent financial analysis in land management on country and of the government funding supporting farming communities packages from 1996-97 to and regional Australia. 2017-18, advice from the In June this year the government National Landcare Advisory published its report on the review of Committee, consideration of the current and historical NLP. analysis and advice from natural One billion dollars has been invested over the last four years through Australia’s 56 regional natural resource management bodies. The report has been used to resource management experts, inform the next phase (from July as well as submissions from with their Regional NRM Plans and Greater efficiencies andmaintains the key elements of its 2018) of Australian Government government and non-government also progressed Commonwealth improved outcomes may be success, while also evolving to be support for this exemplary, organisations. objectives. achieved through regional bodies more effective in addressing the community driven, land Most respondents felt the The review noted funding working together in consortiums, natural resource management management movement. NLP had resulted in improved under the regional model of such as the successful Rangelands challenges at a regional level, and The review examined whether land management; increased the NLP is most likely based on Alliance, Reef alliance and Tri State connecting local outcomes with the NLP has been efficient and adoption of sustainable farm historical priorities and criteria, Alliance, along with continuing to national priorities in agricultural effective in delivering agricultural practices; and enhanced social and could be better aligned with meet individual regional plans and productivity, developing regional and environmental outcomes across and institutional capacity for current and future priorities and Commonwealth objectives. Australia and importantly, different regions and agricultural integrated natural resource conditions. Regional scale delivery The review was an important protecting out natural resource base sectors. management. Importantly, NRM may also be improved by opening opportunity to reflect back on for the future. It was important for government regional organisations confirmed opportunities for involvement to a past programs, as well as to look • Visit: www.nrm.gov.au/regional/ policy makers to develop a NLP funded projects aligned well wider range of organisations. to the future and ensure that NLP regional-nrm-organisations. Growers urged to improve the map impediments to rapid response is crossed the north Queensland coast By Horticulture Innovation identifying where exactly the host on March 28. Australia crops are. It also has the potential to assist “This new map allows growers growers with insurance claims. AUSTRALIA’S avocado, mango to help safeguard the future of their John said this research may also and macadamia growers are industries by pinpointing where inform future mapping projects for being called on to contribute to farms are, along with helping other horticultural industries. a map that aims to enhance the their industry bodies and relevant This mapping project is nation’s biosecurity response and agencies plan and enact biosecurity supported by Horticulture planning capability, and help measures during serious pest and Innovation through funding with recovery efforts after severe disease incursions,” John said. from the Australian government weather events. “In the case of severe weather Department of Agriculture and The draft online map, available events, such as fires or floods, this Water Resources, as part of its Rural at http://ow.ly/z9oJ30diXkV, shows map will also allow peak bodies R&D for Profit Program. commercial avocado, mango and and authorities to quickly and easily Led by the University of macadamia crops around the identify farms impacted, speeding New England, the work involves country, and has been formulated up any aid provision process. a host of industry collaborators with satellite imagery generated “We are encouraging growers including Avocados Australia, the by scientists, land-use information to grab their smartphones, tablets Australian Macadamia Society, from industry and government, as or laptops, review the map and and the Australian Mango Industry well as ‘citizen science’ collected via add their comments to help Association, and Simpson Farms. a purpose-built app. support their industries through The University of Queensland, Horticulture Innovation chief this ambitious land-use mapping University of Sydney, Central executive John Lloyd said that while project,” he said. Queensland University, Agtrix Pty contributors have made more than The Land Use Survey app is Ltd, the Queensland Department 1000 entries via the Land Use Survey available for Android and iOS of Agriculture and Fisheries, app so far, there is still plenty more devices, and can be downloaded Queensland Department of work to be done. via the Google Play Store and Apple Science, Information Technology John said during plant App Store respectively. and Innovation are also project biosecurity outbreaks such as citrus The map has helped respective collaborators. canker, banana panama disease industry representative bodies • See more on the and, more recently, the tomato- determine the extent of the impact broader National Tree Project The Land Use Survey app in action. potato psyllid, one of the biggest of Tropical Cyclone Debbie, which at http://ow.ly/CNp630diXiS. Landcare In Focus November 2017 ~ www.landcareaustralia.org.au The future of the National Landcare Program secure groups and the Australian I encourage you all to continue Assistant Minister for Agriculture community. your involvement in Landcare and Water Resources, the Hon. The Smart Farms program will through the Smart Farms program protect and improve the condition which will put Australian farming Luke Hartsuyker of natural resources on farms, which at the forefront of land resource in turn drives improved productivity management into the future. THE Australian Government is and profitability. From July 2018, the government investing more than $1 billion into ‘Farming smarter’ is the mantra will invest $450 million over the future of the National Landcare for the next round of Landcare five years to deliver the national Program (NLP). projects, helping organisations priorities of protecting soils, water, In September, the government and individuals to put their heads vegetation and biodiversity and launched the next phase of the NLP, together to develop innovative supporting agriculture productivity and mapped out the nationally- sustainable agriculture practices. agreed priorities for delivering at the regional and local level. The $134 million Smart Farms on-ground natural resource The Regional Land Partnerships program will encourage farmers, management and sustainable Program builds on the strengths of fishers and foresters to adopt agriculture outcomes that will the existing program, with national sustainable agricultural best benefit rural communities and coverage that will connect and practices. deliver environmental and involve communities, including Giving farmers, fishers, foresters agricultural outcomes. Indigenous communities. and regional communities the tools, Protecting and improving the We want to fund the most technologies and funding will allow condition of our natural resources, innovative projects that tackle them to invest in their soils, water soils, water and biodiversity is a today’s challenges and harness the and biodiversity. never-ending goal, which requires next generation of ideas. Farmers have a natural instinct long-term, on-the-ground planning, There is great awareness about to care for their land and we want to investment and delivery. the Landcare movement and the support these ideas that have been The NLP has been structured benefits it brings to communities put to the test on a local farm by to achieve this through building across Australia. helping our smart farmers to share knowledge and engaging the Through our consultations and that idea with the local community community and industry in projects reviews one thing that has come and the nation. to improve those land management to the fore is the strong support The Smart Farms program is practices needed to benefit the for continuing to deliver the