Annual Report 2013-14
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GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY MANAGEMENT GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14 COMMITTEE FOR GREATER SHEPPARTON ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14 GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY PARTNERS IN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT The health of the Catchment relies on many partner organisations and individuals. In fact, there are so many partner organisations of the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority that we have found it challenging to capture them all. Any partner logo not appearing above does not undervalue their contribution to the Catchment. CONTACTS AND OFFICE LOCATIONS OF GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY MAIN OFFICE, SHEPPARTON BENALLA YEA 168 Welsford Street, Shepparton 89 Sydney Road, Benalla Shop 5/10 High Street, PO Box 1752, Shepparton Vic 3632 PO Box 124, Benalla Vic 3672 Yea Vic 3717 phone: (03) 5822 7700 phone: (03) 5764 7000 phone: (03) 5797 4000 fax: (03) 5831 6254 fax: (03) 5761 1547 fax: (03) 5797 3199 email: [email protected] www.gbcma.vic.gov.au Designed and printed by Prominent Group, Shepparton. Ph: 1300 655 363 Ratings legend About this report Recognising a major NRM contribution This report provides information on the Goulburn Broken Allen Canobie Annual Catchment Management Authority’s (CMA) performance and performance Exceeded/ When it comes to giving back and getting easy to get a bit blasé and, it’s no surprise really, during drought Well below Below finances, which can be assessed against its 2013-14 to 2017-18 and long-term On target exceeding target target involved in the community Numurkah’s people’s minds are on other things – such as getting water to your strategy (80-109%) target Corporate Plan targets. (<50%) (50-79%) Allen Canobie clearly walks the talk. stock and crops – but you’ve got to take the long-term view.’ implementation (>109%) The Goulburn Broken CMA aims to provide information which progress is easily accessed, understood and relevant to readers. More Forty years ago, Allen and wife Margaret Tackling salinity may have provided the initial impetus for Allen’s detailed and scientific data can be accessed via the website moved to the area with their children, interest in protecting and managing the natural resources that www.gbcma.vic.gov.au Julie and Kerry. Their third child Scott underpin the region’s agricultural and economic prosperity but Catchment Good to Very poor Poor Satisfactory was born soon after. he says as his understanding of the inter-connectedness of condition excellent A separate summary of this Annual Report is available from the website or from the Goulburn Broken CMA offices (see back Allen, who came from a dairy farming family in Gippsland and land, water, biodiversity and people grew, so did his interest cover). Margaret, a Melbourne girl, quickly became involved in local and concern for other environmental issues. Certainty Very low Low Medium High This report is prepared in accordance with all relevant Victorian activities as well as running two dairy farms and a beef cattle ‘Every property we’ve bought has been an improver,’ he says. ‘We’ve of rating legislation. This includes the requirement under the Catchment stud. had to do lots of clearing of junk and weeds and plenty of revegetation and Land Protection Act 1994 for the Goulburn Broken CMA to Allen joined Apex and later Rotary (including time as president), and fencing (to protect vegetation),’ he says. ‘Margaret’s done a submit “…a report on the condition and management of land which he says provided valuable skills ‘in getting things done’. huge amount of that planting – she’s planted hundreds of trees.’ and water resources in its region and the carrying out of its Trend Declining Static Improving Dramatically functions.” This drive to make a difference came to the fore again during As well as involvement in the local Landcare group, Allen has improving been instrumental in the transformation of Kinnairds Wetland. Design and print complies with Department of Treasury and his time as a Councillor and President of the former Numurkah Shire Council. The vegetation in the wetland, which is fed by flows from the For an explanation of how and why ratings are applied see Finance Reporting Direction 30A, which aims to achieve Appendix 1: Understanding progress and ratings on page 130 consistency and minimise costs and environmental impact ‘We were looking at implementing uniform planning processes Muckatah Surface Water Management Scheme, helps slow and across government agencies. across Numurkah and the adjoining shires,’ Allen says. ‘I could filter the drainage water before it flows in to the Goulburn River. Feedback on this report is encouraged to help improve future really see the sense in this, particularly when it came to making ‘I’ve been involved in the Friends of Kinnairds since the start. annual reports. Please provide comments by 31 December 2014 sure the region remained productive.’ We recognised early on its potential as a place where people to guarantee consideration. During this time Allen was nominated as the council’s could walk and ride and see birds and wildlife in their natural A feedback form to help direct comments is available at the representative on the newly formed Salinity Program Advisory environment. Getting the adjoining landholders involved in the website. www.gbcma.vic.gov.au Council (SPAC). project was really important. With their input we developed a recreational plan for the wetlands and now what was once an ‘It was pretty clear at the time (the mid-‘80s) that rising eyesore is a real drawcard for the region.’ watertables and salinity were real threats and something desperately needed to be done if farming in this region was to The impact of fire that swept through the wetland and remain sustainable and productive,’ he says. surrounding properties during February was ‘heartbreaking’ for someone who had been so heavily involved in its development. Allen says the work done by the SPAC to develop a management plan for the region was invaluable in getting the need for urgent ‘But it’s coming back, it’s amazing how it can bounce back,’ Allen action on the threat of salinity to production on the local, state says. and federal government agenda. This glass half full view of the world is perhaps what makes Allen He believes there is more that needs to be done to address the so effective in motivating others to get on board, bring big ideas issue across the region, which is why he has stayed involved in to fruition and hang in for the long haul to tackle the tough ones. the various committees, including Shepparton Irrigation Region With ‘seven and three-quarters’ grandchildren (the eighth is Implementation Committee and more recently Sustainable due late August), he definitely has an eye on the future. Front cover: Irrigation Program Advisory Committee, which have evolved over ‘I’ll stay involved while I think I’ve got something to offer. I Main photo time to keep salinity top of mind with decision makers. want to leave the farm better than I found it and the catchment • Farm Water Program works at this Yeilima property saved a total of 82ML. Photograph: David Lawler ‘It’s still an issue – large areas still don’t have access to drainage. too. I’m inspired by the next generation coming through and To remain productive and sustainable we need to have good surface optimistic it’s in good hands.’ Inset photos (from left to right) and sub-surface drainage. I believe three things drive (the priority And his message to these young leaders? • Funding from the Victorian Environmental Partnerships given to take) action on salinity and drainage – wet years, commodity Program for the Northern Eco-Connections project, a joint prices and government contribution. When things are going okay it’s ‘Just have a go.’ project between Goulburn Broken, North Central and North East CMAs was announced by the Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith in December. Pictured: Brad Drust, Mel Haddow, Steve Wilson, Jane Young, Peter Sacco and Carl Gray. Photograph: Simon Dallinger. Staff list 2013-14 • Good relationships and local knowledge meant agencies were Aaron Findlay Chris Norman Geoff Earl Mary Dimit Shannon Crawford able to quickly swing in to action to help communities affected Karen Brisbane Annie Squires Christine Glassford Guy Tierney Max Colliver Simon Casanelia by the February fires. Bhupinder Minhas is pictured at Black Kate Brunt Belinda Senini Collin Tate Helen Murdoch Meegan Judd Stan Gibney Swamp near Wunghnu. Photograph: Fiona Lloyd Kate Hill Brendan Stary Corey Wilson Janice Mentiplay- Megan McFarlane Stephen Collins • The Victorian Government announced $2 million of support for Kate Pendergast Bianca Sulejman Darelle Siekman Smith Melanie Haddow Steve Wilson the Fruit Industry Employment Program in August. Thirty people Katie Warner Carl Walters David Lawler Jason Head Neville Atkinson Sue Kosch including (back) Darren Watson and Krishnan Ramankutti and Keith Ward Carla Miles Dean Judd Jasmine Dick Kerry McFarlane Peter Geddes Tim Barlow © State of Victoria. Goulburn Broken Catchment (front) Kerri Wilson and Alf Verduci have been involved in the Casey Damen Fiona Lloyd Jenny Wilson Rachael Spokes Tom O’Dwyer Management Authority 2014. This publication is copyright. program. Photograph: Fiona Lloyd. Kirsten Roszak Established 1950 No part may be reproduced by any process except in Charlie Sexton Fleur Baldi Jim Begley Lisa Duncan Rhiannon Apted Tony Kubeil GB CMA Annual Reports • Community input helped shape the Goulburn Broken Waterway Chris Burnett Gaye Sutherland Jim Castles Richard Warburton Vicki Mackenzie 2007-08 to 2010-11 accordance with provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. Strategy, which was updated during 2013-14. Pictured is Shayne Mark Cotter Silver Award ISSN 978-1-876600-02-0 Chris Nicholson Geoff Brennan Jo Wood Samantha Moreno Wayne Tennant Tolley.