Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online

Natural Resource Management through Bushcare*

Australian Local Governments have a unique role in improving natural resource management. While the specific roles and responsibilities of Local Governments differ between States, all Australian Councils have a range of regulatory and planning powers that influence the way in which local natural resources are managed.

For example, Local Government has a direct role in:

• Managing many public lands such as reserves and roadsides.
• Managing the impacts of infrastructure such as roads, water supply, sewerage systems.
• Strategic Planning both within a Council area and on a regional basis.
• Land use zoning, which can be used to protect prime agricultural land, waterways or environmentally sensitive areas.
• Development control.
• Providing financial incentives including rating policy.
• Providing direct assistance to Landcare groups such as administrative support or the use of machinery.
• Community education.

Funds are available to increase the capacity of Local Government to engage in natural resource management through the Commonwealth Government's Natural Heritage Trust. Bushcare, a major program of the Trust, has allocated 11 per cent of its 1997-98 funding to local Councils throughout Australia to undertake innovative and effective measures to improve natural resource management.

Examples of natural resource management projects supported by Bushcare include the following.

Land for Wildlife Pilot Program - South East Queensland, Ipswich, Redland, Logan, Gold Coast, Noosa, Brisbane, Caboolture, Caloundra and Maroochy Councils, Qld

Establish a pilot Land for Wildlife program in SE Queensland modelled on the program that has been running in Victoria for 12 years.

Albany Regional Remnant Vegetation Inventory, Shire of Albany, WA

Provide a comprehensive information base to planners, land managers and owners, and community groups through a Geographic Information System. Documentation and data collection of native vegetation is of high priority as there is no recent, systematic or comprehensive spatial inventory.

Goolwa Dune/Wetlands/Aboriginal Eco Park, District Council of Pt Elliot and Goolwa, SA

Develop an ecologically sustainable concept plan, management strategies and local action plan for this nationally significant and fragile dune/wetlands/Aboriginal heritage area, restore degraded and polluted areas, and preserve, protect and interpret the natural and Aboriginal heritage significance for the whole community. The proposal is a reconciliation project of national importance for the SA Goolwa community.

Incentives for Biodiversity Conservation on Private Land, Environs Australia, Vic

Promote the adoption of financial incentive packages for remnant vegetation conservation on private land by Victorian Local Governments by producing guidelines for the development and introduction of financial incentives, and trialing the draft guidelines with three Victorian Councils.

NSW Far South Coast Grassy Woodlands Recovery Project, Bega Valley Shire Council

Establish protective fencing for recovery of remnant native Grassy Woodlands vegetation, run field days to raise awareness and understanding, and hold property management workshops.

Sea Elephant Catchment and Remnant Vegetation Conservation Project, King Island Natural Resources Management Group, Tas

Enhance the biodiversity and conservation qualities of the estuary and provide a point of education for catchment landholders.

Vegetation Planning Coordinator, Litchfield Shire Council/Greening Australia, NT

Create an essential link between the community, Local Government and the Northern Territory Government including facilitation and organisation of consultation processes. There is enormous potential for Local Government, in partnership with State and Commonwealth Governments, to be a key participant in natural resource management.

Local Government can play a vital role at the regional scale provided roles are defined and clear lines of communication are established with catchment management organisations, and State agencies. Local Governments can be a valuable resource to Landcare groups and the broader community, both in terms of access to information and practical assistance for on ground works.

For further information or comment contact Sam Bartlett, Australian Local Government Association on (02) 6281 1211 sbartlett@alga.com.au or Rob Thorman, National Local Government Bushcare Facilitator on (02) 6257 3379 rob.thorman@lwrrdc.gov.au

For more information on Bushcare contact Environment Australia's Community Information Unit 1800 803 772 or Countrylink 1800 026 222.

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