victorian andcarandcaree LLIIss ss uu ee 88 WW iinn tt ee rr 1199 99 88 AddictedAddicted toto deerdeer AnAn endend toto thethe blueblue lagoonlagoon LaunchLaunch ofof futurefuture harvestharvest Congratulations to the Shire of Campaspe Winner National Landcare Local Government Award CONTENTS Editorial Business Management Wade Hughes Page 5 Wally Shaw Peter Sutherland Mining Week Editorial Group Page 7 Paul Crock (03) 9207 5555 Mal Brown (03) 9412 4382 Sally Gibson (03) 9412 5048 Communicating over Phil Roberts (03) 9207 5555 the catchment Editorial Consultant Page 9 Tiffany & Associates (03) 9894 2169 An end to the blue lagoon Advertising Manager Page 14 Paul Crock Phone (03) 9207 5562, Fax (03) 9207 5500 Design Addicted to Deer Bouquet Productions Pty. Ltd. Page 16 Phone (03) 9376 0911, Fax (03) 9376 0922 Premier launches Future Harvest Printing Page 22 Henry Thacker Print Group Breakwater, Geelong. Phone (03) 5248 3333, Fax (03) 5248 7222 Catch-up around the CMA’s Cover Photograph Page 24 A winter scene - Andrew Chapman New Zealand Landcare Trust Contributions and mailing list enquiries Page 28 Victorian Farmers Federation Landcare Section, Level 6 24-28 Collins St, Melbourne 3000 The Victorian Landcare Magazine is a joint publication of the Victorian Phone (03) 9207 5555 Fax (03) 9207 5500 Farmers Federation, Alcoa of Australia Limited and the Department of Natural E-mail: [email protected] Resources and Environment, with the support of the Catchment and Land Victorian Landcare is published for the Victorian Protection Council and Greening Australia Victoria. Landcare Community by the Victorian Farmers Federation, 24-28 Collins Street, Melbourne 3000. Articles may be reprinted provided Victorian Landcare is acknowledged. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of statements in Victorian Landcare the Victorian Farmers Federation, its part- ners, agents, servants and contractors disclaim all responsibility for the statements quoted herein. ISSN: 1327 5496 Victorian Landcare Page 3 Creswick gets connected Grants The Farm$mart Rural Fiona said that, although recent estimates Communications Centre at suggest 60% of Victoria’s 30,000 full-time Creswick has been granted farmers have a personal computer, many $100,000 to help produce a ‘culture of of them are under utilised and relatively community connection’ in the south-west few are used to link farmers to the world region of Victoria. wide web. The funding is part of the State “Farm$mart recognises the importance Government’s Skills.net project which of Australian farmers having access to the supports Internet training and access latest information and communication opportunities for thousands of people technologies to help their businesses living in country Victoria. establish and maintain a competitive edge.” Project co-ordinator, Fiona Chambers, said The Minister for Multimedia, Alan Stockdale (right) the Farm$mart Rural Communications “Farm$mart also recognises the opportunity with Fred Davies from Stoney Creek Oil Products announcing the Skills.net grants at Bullarook. Centre will provide free Internet access to use these technologies as a catalyst for and training to farmers and community change. To achieve this, there needs to members. The centre will also work be strong bridges built between existing The program will have a large element closely with farmer groups, agricultural providers of education, extension and of peer-mentoring. extension and education providers such the farmers.” Fiona believes that, through working as TAFE, universities and agricultural The first stage of the project will involve together, the centre will become a consultants. training and net orientation programs hotbed for local creativity. A computer laboratory of approximately directed to a mix of farming and non- For more information contact 20 state-of-the-art computers with farming rural community members as well as Fiona Chambers on (03) 5333 6782. permanent modem links will be installed the facilitators and organisers of community at the Creswick Landcare Centre. and farming groups in the region. Are you considering a new land purchase, productivity improvements or property developments? Ask Rural Finance to design a flexible loan pack- age to meet your individual needs. Central Gippsland South West North East North West Wimmera 350 Collins St 16 Kay St 132 Koroit St 2/164 Welsford St 118 Curlewis St 17 Darlot St Melbourne, 3000 Traralgon, 3844 Warrnambool, 3280 Shepparton, 3630 Swan Hill, 3585 Horsham, 3400 Telephone: (03) 9243 2668 Telephone: (03) 5176 1761 Telephone: (03) 5562 9611 Telephone: (03) 5821 2655 Telephone: (03) 5032 9900 Telephone: (03) 5381 0052 Facsimile: (03) 9243 2666 Facsimile: (03) 5176 1682 Facsimile: (03) 5562 0744 Facsimile: (03) 5831 2097 Facsimile: (03) 5032 4471 Facsimile: (03) 5381 0065 Also at Mildura Telephone: (03) 5023 3025 Letters to the editor From the editors Dear Mr Crock, Mr Brown and Ms Gibson Landfest is fast becoming a major event So there we were, all the editors of I wish to congratulate you on being a finalist on the landcare calendar; a great showcase The Victorian Landcare Magazine for the National Landcare Awards 1998 in of what’s happening with groups, together in Canberra, in ‘the big house’ the Ford Landcare Media Award Category. for the National Landcare Awards. businesses and products. Landfest is a family festival and this year the organisers I was at the Great Hall in Parliament House Well we didn’t win but we did have a enticed famous Melbourne band Tiddas to in Canberra to see the award presentation fantastic time. The awards were hosted by sing at the festival. We hear Geoff Park is and was very impressed by the standard of the Yamatdje man and television personality scanning the charts for who to invite next Victorian finalists. Ernie Dingo. His irreverent sense of year and considering a new career as a humour delighted the huge audience of The work which you have done in respect to rock concert promoter! landcarers from around Australia. landcare is a credit to Victoria and a reflection on your commitment, dedication and perse- New additions to the magazine The Prime Minister, John Howard, verance to improving land and water quality. and the Governor-General, Sir William In your responses to our reader survey, I would like to thank you for your Deane, presented the awards and both you highlighted “how to” stories and participation and wish you continued success. made rousing speeches in support of interviews with individuals as highest landcare. The theme of the night was priorities, while giving us plenty of food Yours sincerely ‘Bringing the Bush to Parliament House’. for thought on all sorts of other things Hon. Marie Tehan, MP With the help of the bushwackers bush you wanted to see. Minister for Conservation and Land Management band, graziers from Alice Springs danced the night away with dairy farmers from In this edition you will notice icons relating to various topics which you Tasmania. Scientists swapped tall stories Dear Members of the Editorial Committee and landcare group co-ordinators discussed identified in the survey, location maps their research. and contact details. These additions are to On behalf of the Australian Landcare help you identify clearly with the things Council, I would like to congratulate you on Well done Landcare Australia for organising you want to read, where they are in your committee’s outstanding achievement in another successful round of National Victoria and how to get more information. winning the Ford Landcare Media Award for Landcare Awards. See our feature on pages Victoria in the Landcare Awards. 18 and 19 for details of the winners. We are listening to you and taking your lead. Please keep your stories and letters I was pleased to be present at the Eaglehawk On the home front, the Creswick coming. We are always keen to receive resort on 24 March for some of the national Landcare Centre had another success with them. judging and discussions between state award its Landfest landcare festival. Creswick winners. I was also at the presentation of Education Officer, Geoff Park, reports that Mal Brown awards in the Great Hall at Parliament over 2,500 people attended the festival, Paul Crock House. So I am personally aware of your with many travelling from Melbourne and Sally Gibson work, and I congratulate you for the further afield. Phil Roberts commitment you have shown to fostering the landcare ethic. The Australian Landcare Council is made up of community landcare representatives from each state, and related organisations and agencies. Your community representative is Ms Alison Teece. For the Council to properly fulfil its function, it must act as a conduit on federal landcare policy from community groups at the one end to the Ministers at the other. The Australian Landcare Council can be most effective it is used by local, regional and state landcare bodies. We welcome communications on federal policy issues. Yours sincerely Bruce Lloyd Chairman Over 2,500 people attended Creswick’s Landfest during Landcare Month. Victorian Landcare Page 5 Where are the NHT funds being spent in Victoria? Grants Victoria’s total share of the NHT for Victoria shared 18% of the national 1996/97 was $33,530,777. This comprises: 1997/98 NHT allocation of $186.9M. It is expected that, in 1998/99, the NHT $14.17M National Landcare Program; will allocate $290.4M to improved natural $2.99M Native Vegetation Initiative; resource management across Australia. $0.16M National Reserves Initiative; The figure below indicates Victoria’s $0.23M National Wetlands Program; regional totals for federally funded $0.19M Fisheries Action Program; projects under the Natural Heritage Trust $14.75M Murray Darling 2001; for 1997/98. The bar graphs show the $0.65M Farm Forestry; and percentage share from major initiatives. $0.38M Water Watch. National Landcare Program Native Vegetation Initiative MD2001 NHT 1997/98 Federally Funded Projects Other NB: Regional values are total NHT dollars for 1997/98, eg.