BRUNSWICK VALLEY
LANDCARE
Annual
Report 2006/07
Report summary
I am pleased to report that Brunswick Valley Landcare has enjoyed another successful year, both financially and in terms of membership numbers. We have actively pursued funding opportunities from a range of sources and whilst the funding environment remains intensely competitive, BVL has maintained a healthy balance sheet that has enabled ongoing support for restoration projects across the Catchment.
We have again fulfilled our mission of inspiring the community to conserve and restore the Brunswick ValleyÕs natural environment.
Membership
As at June 30 this year we had 126 fully paid up members including families, which was a thirty per cent increase in membership over the previous year.
A $5 increase in the annual fee has had no adverse impact on membership numbers. So far this financial year we have 85 fully paid members and at the rate renewals are being received we are confident of achieving and surpassing our minimum target of 100 financial members, as dictated by our plan of management.
We have also introduced two-year and five-year memberships as an alternative to the annual fee, and several members have taken advantage of this Òpay and forgetÓ option.
Management committee
The management committee met formally on eleven occasions
during the year. Following last yearÕs annual general meeting there were eight committee members, being Rebecca Lines-Kelly as President, Toni Spruce as Secretary, Annette
Stanton as Treasurer and Maura Dawes as Membership Secretary plus Rita de Heer,
Jeannette Martin, Horst Thiele and myself as ordinary members. In February
Rebecca stepped aside as President due to pressure of work, and I was elected
to replace her. Since then Rebecca has continued to make a valuable
contribution to the committeeÕs work in a number of capacities and continues to
be a willing volunteer at BVL events.
We lost two committee members during the year, Jeannette and
Maura, and I would like to place on record the committeeÕs appreciation
particularly of MauraÕs contribution as Membership Secretary.
We welcomed Graham Ashcroft to fill a casual vacancy and
I thank him for his timely and perceptive contributions to the committeeÕs
deliberations. IÕm sorry that due to other pressures Graham has decided not to
accept nomination for re-election but I am delighted that he has volunteered to
take on two key tasks for the committee, as public officer, and as convenor of
a sub-committee which I shall elaborate on further in this report.
I would like to say a very special thankyou to our
Treasurer, Annette Stanton, who has decided that because
of work and domestic pressures she will not be re-nominating for the committee
this year. AnnetteÕs contribution has been enormous, both for her highly
professional management of BVLÕs financial affairs but also for the wise
counsel and the political acumen she has brought to the table. Although Annette
will no longer hold the office of Treasurer, IÕm delighted that she has agreed
to continue to act as book-keeper, in a paid part-time capacity.
No nomination has been received for the TreasurerÕs position and it will be a priority of the incoming committee to find someone willing to take on the role.
Strategic Plan
As Rebecca noted in her report last year, the committee highlighted a need for BVL to
be more strategic in managing its affairs. We have now developed a business
plan which sets certain targets for the organisation and identifies strategies
for achieving them. This is proving invaluable in keeping us focussed on the
main issues and I thank those members who participated in the original planning
workshops. A copy of the plan is available for any member who would like to see
it.
Locality Groups
There are currently 25 autonomous locality groups affiliated to BVL most of which are fully active, and meet regularly. They are responsible for projects over an area of 228 square kilometres of the Brunswick Catchment.
Support for the locality groups is one of the main reasons for BVLÕs existence and the committee recognises the need to maintain effective two-way channels of communication to ensure that the groups needs are known and understood.
Whilst the autonomy of the locality groups remains paramount, the committee cannot – and indeed must not – exist in isolation from them. With the rapid growth of BVL over the past couple of years it is all the more important to ensure that the relationships are maintained and nurtured.
Graham Ashcroft has agreed to chair a sub-committee to look into the whole question of the committeeÕs role in relation to the locality groups. He will be assisted by Dave Rawlins and Michael Brown, plus any others who would be willing to volunteer their time.
The sub-committeeÕs terms of reference will be wide ranging and will include the preparation of guidelines covering issues such as bush regenerator pay rates and methods of employment, as well as ways of bringing the groups and the committee closer together. Insurance is another sometimes thorny issue the sub-committee may be asked to look at.
Locality groups currently affiliated with BVL are:
Project officer
We are fortunate to have Judy MacdonaldÕs ongoing services as project officer which is a
two day a week paid position, working with the locality groups, particularly on
funding issues, as well as assisting with the organisation of workshops and
special events. Judy has shouldered a huge workload during the year and has
contributed many hours over and above what is required of her. The committee
has been conscious of the burden of work Judy has been undertaking and has now
restructured her role to remove some of the extraneous duties so she has more
time to focus on the locality groups. Judy is one of the stalwartÕs of the
organisation and we thank her for her very considerable contribution.
Community Support Officer
BVL has continued to employ a community support officer
under a funding arrangement with the Northern Rivers Catchment Management
Authority. Georgia Beyer took over the role from Dave Rawlins in September last
year and we were sorry to lose her this year when she decided to resign for
personal reasons. We have been fortunate to find Colin Hastie to replace her.
The community support role has undergone major revision following changes
imposed by the CMA. The area for which the CSO is now responsible has been
re-named the Coastal Region and expanded to include the eastern part of the
Tweed Shire between Murwillumbah and the Coast, the whole of Byron Shire, and
the eastern part of Ballina as far south as Broadwater.
It is far from being an ideal situation. BVL is now responsible for
administering a contract which sees the greater part of the CSOÕs
responsibilities being outside the Brunswick catchment. The Byron community has
access to only 1.5 days a week of the CSOÕs time, which is unsatisfactory. The CMA pleaded budget cuts as the
reason for redrawing the regional boundaries. Budget issues notwithstanding, it
was a bureaucratic and arbitrary response that downplays the special needs of
the Brunswick Catchment as a national biodiversity hot spot.
Byron Shire Council
We are grateful to Byron Shire Council for its ongoing support, and
particularly for the provision of office accommodation and administrative
resources for the community support officer, which is a valuable in-kind
contribution. Having the CSO based in Council facilitates the working
relationship with CouncilÕs biodiversity team.
This relationship was recognized in March when, on BVLÕs
nomination, Council received the
CMAÕs Regional Landcare Community Partnership Award for Local Government for
its many contributions to Landcare and Dunecare projects, and for its
biodiversity conservation strategy.
Funding & sponsorship
Funding continues to be a challenge, and as I said in
my introduction, we are forced to operate in a highly competitive environment.
To give just one example, Round 8 of the Australian GovernmentÕs Natural
Heritage Trust Envirofund program last year attracted 1,922 applications from
which 1,126 projects were funded. BVL was successful with sponsorship of two
grants, of $20,780 for coastal
melaleuca wetland restoration at Tyagarah and $50,000 for Dunecare restoration of endangered
littoral rainforest. The fund also made a grant of $22,488 to improve reef
health in the Byron Marine Park, which overall was a very satisfactory outcome
for the shire.
BVL
continues to seek and administer funding from various other sources including
the Environment Trust, the Commonwealth Government, and the NRCMA.
A $3000 sponsorship from Australia Post has enabled us to buy a new
tent, table and chairs for use at field days and other open air events.
A summary
showing the current status of funded projects, and funding options in the
pipeline, is available for the meetingÕs perusal and forms part of this annual
report.
BVL has
been short-listed for an Environmental Trust education grant of $100,000. If we
are successful the money will be used for a three year community education
program aimed at protecting biodiversity in a coastal development hotspot. It
is a timely program that recognizes the pressures of population growth and
development on an already stressed local environment, and we have our fingers
crossed for its success.
Workshops and events
We have had an active program of monthly training workshops
and events during the year with excellent attendance. Among the more notable
were Fran and Mark LeskeÕs bushland garden open day which attracted 160 people
and raised money for the Coral Avenue locality group, the World Environment Day
event at Byron Wetlands organised with Byron Shire Council, and the more recent
Byron Bird Buddies Birds of the Brunswick field day which attracted 130
enthusiasts, also at the wetlands. BVL was also a joint sponsor with Byron
Shire Council and Brunswick Heads Dunecare for a National Tree Planting Day
event at which 70 volunteers planted 300 trees on the Brunswick dunes.
These training workshops play an important role in
increasing community awareness of natural resource management issues and I
thank the many volunteers who contributed their time and energy to make the
program such a success.
In July the committee organised a successful social evening
with drinks and dinner at the Mullumbimby Bowling Club and we would like to see
more such events included in the calendar for members to meet informally. The
Christmas party is planned for Sunday December 2nd at a venue yet to
be decided.
Nature Festival
Planning has begun for the 2008 Brunswick Valley Nature Festival which will be at the Shearwater Steiner School at Mullumbimby on Saturday May 31 next year as a World Environment Day event. Organising the festival is a huge job and many volunteers will be needed.
Member communications
Newsletters, email and the BVL web site have been the
primary channels of communication for members as well as a monthly paid column in
the Byron Shire Echo, which is made possible by funding from the NRCMA. Prior
to February this year Brunswick Valley Landcare published a joint monthly
newsletter with Tweed Landcare. It was then decided to separate from Tweed and
for BVL to have its own bi-monthly newsletter, with a shorter ÔNews BriefÕ
being published in the alternate months.
The changes to the CSO position have necessitated a further
change. The bi-monthly BVL newsletter will continue, with Colin also now
producing a monthly Coastal Landcare newsletter. A copy of The Echo column will
be circulated to members on alternative months.
The web site is updated with current information on a weekly
basis and contains a wealth of information about BVL and Landcare. A forum has
been introduced to receive feedback from members and I urge people to make use
of it.
Booksales
The introduction of a BVL bookshop has been a successful
venture and Rita de Heer has been doing an excellent job in looking after sales
both through the web site and with stalls at major events. The book shop is an
excellent resource for finding books about bush care and the local environment.
The future
TonightÕs meeting heralds the fourth anniversary of BVLÕs
incorporation as a
non-political, not for profit organisation to help Landcare groups and
landholders in the Brunswick River Catchment develop projects and apply for
funds.
I believe BVL continues to do that well, and overall the
organisation is well placed for the future.
I would, however, sound one note of caution. BVLÕs ongoing
success depends very much on the willing input and the enthusiasm of a
relatively small number of volunteers, who are its strength. We risk losing
that enthusiasm if we ask too much of our volunteers.
BVL has recently gone through something of a rapid growth
spurt and I think it is timely that we ask ourselves the question, just how big
do we want to get?
To me, IÕm sure like most of us, being involved in Landcare
is about the satisfaction I get from making a positive, hands-on contribution
to the natural environment as part of a community of friendly and like-minded
people.
It is also about having fun, and I hope we donÕt lose sight
of that if we continue to grow.
Adrian Begg
President
September 26, 2007
|
Project /Funding body |
Amount |
Start /Finish |
Notes |
|
NRCMA HCV 1 |
$11, 500 |
End 10/9/06 |
Acquitted |
|
NRCMA HCV Fast track |
$20,000 |
End 30/06/06 |
Acquitted |
|
NRCMA Riparian |
$16,000 |
End 10/9/06 |
Acquitted Some funds
left for maintenance |
|
NRCMA Property management planning project |
$1500 |
End 30/06/06 |
$1301 remaining has been
reallocated to BVL
Maintenance [August 07?] |
|
NRCMA HCV Maintenance 07/08 [BSC/BVL/WCHLC] |
$6000 |
June 07 End June 30/08 |
Contract signed First installment: awaiting advice from BSC BSC Project management behind . First Project Partner meeting Sept 13 BRG Ôs engaged Works started at Red Hill and Blindmouth |
|
Commonwealth Govt
Community water grants Project 5148
|
$33,276 [inc GST] |
June 06 End Sept 22/07. Report/ Audit due Oct 22/07 |
Have been focusing on moving project along Meetings with Dave Rawlins re Saltwater ,Federation Bridge
and signage BSC and MPA contributing cc $ 2000 to supplement the CWG
funding for interpretative signage on Mullum Riparian Sites Organising Community morning for Federation Bridge site
Monday Sept.17 -Aim to
create interest to form a new locality group /expand Heritage Park locality
group Meet and liaise with Mandy Lisson Fed Bridge site
supervisor. Mandy to prepare letter and flier for Sept17 with asistance from
Colin and Judy Peter Westheimer BSC: liaison Send invite to attend
Community morning :accepted Emails sent inviting Heritage Park and Mullum Ck Locality
groups Ad for Echo, Community Pinup Sept 12 Preparation for community flier on BVL Mullum town
riparian sites Lucinda Cox engaged to do graphics Prepared CWG article for BVL Magazine Browns have prepared site and brought fencing materials
.Site reviewed Some concern re accounting for unexpended odds and
ends. |
|
Environmental Rehabilitating lowland forest communities |
2005 - $28,385 $583 to spend 2006 $32,165, $6146 to
spend 2007 $32,166 |
Feb 05-Feb 08 Final Report due March 28/03/07 |
Sites finalized 1. Heritage Park work progressing Work day now 3rd Wednesday 2. Scarabelotti/Tunnel Rd sites : control of Cats Claw threat. Dave Rawlins engaged to do
plans .BRGÕs engaged .Work to start late Sept 7.5 x2 BRG days plus Action Plan 3. McPhee. Mt Chincogan : protection of Threatened Species in corridor. Electric
fence to be erected before work starts-planned early October . 7.5 x2 BRG days plus Action Plan 4. Mullum Riparian Extension Dave to prepare Management Plan . Control Cats Claw threat Riverside Drive and work on
north side Saltwater Ck River Walk Monday Oct 15 proposed date with local land
managers, BVL, CSO, BSC reps
[ET training event ] 5x 2 BRG days |
|
Byron Shire Council Water Tower |
|
|
Needs maintenance and liaison with BSC Dave Rawlins to organize x2 annual work days with local
resident. Could aim to recreate Locality group Suggest BVL
allocate some funds to employ Dave. DonÕt think all should be
voluntary |
|
Byron Shire Council
Azalea St |
$2145.59- June 30 -$804 unspent |
no due date |
Dave to check with Ben Jennings re any more planned work
Would suggest this now becomes BVL funds since he has taken contract with
BSC to manage site |
|
Rainforest Rescue |
$1000. |
no due date |
Moved to Maintenance fund Aug. 07 |
|
FUNDING APPLICATIONS PENDING |
|
|
|
|
Environmental Trust Restoration 08-11 |
$99,605 |
Notification end 07-early 08 |
3 year project for Mullum Ck Locality group work and 1 day
per week for BVL Project Officer 35 applications received which is less than normal $1.5 million to be allocated In the 2006 grants round, 51 applications
were received requesting $2.82 million. The Trust then approved 30 grants
requesting $1.51 million |
|
Environmental Trust Education 08-11 |
$99,650 |
Notification end 07/early 08 |
3 year project Ecosystem Species publications Map, fliers Nature Fest x2 Biod Day x1 Mentorship program Workshop BVL invited to apply after a successful EOI [ 60
received only 15 -20 asked to apply. With cc 50% chance $0.5 million
available In 2006
88 expressions of interest were received and resulted
in 25 applications requesting $1.59 million. The Trust
approved 10 grants totalling $0.52 million program x10 pa |
|
Envirofund Round 9 1. Riparian Restoration of Brunswick River -Main Arm /middle estuarine sub catchment |
$50,000 |
Notification end Sept |
5 sites Record no of applications; $10 million available |
|
2. Riparian Restoration of Brunswick River -Upper Mullumbimby Ck sub catchment |
$50,000 |
Notification end Sept |
5 sites |
|
Envirofund Round 10 |
$4million available |
|
If not successful in Round 9 both BVL projects will be considered for
this exclusively ÔCoastal focusÕ round. |
|
Yalakool Restoration Round10 |
$22,995 |
Notification End of year |
Sponsored by BVL for Yalakool Locality group |
|
BVL SPONSORED PROJECTS Envirofund
Round 8 |
|
|
|
|
Tyagarah Wetlands ID 58289 [Allen Hunter] Restoration of endangered Littoral Rainforest [BSC ] |
$20,780 [inc GST] $50,000 [inc GST] |
Start Feb 1/07 Project end Aug1 Final Report Nov1 ? Mid 2007 Colin pursuing |
Dave and Georgia were managing these. Nov 24 Wetlands Day to acquit a training outcome in this
project The Dune project needs management |
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