07-Sep-2011

SEQ Catchments has taken out the Australian Government Natural Resource Management (NRM) Award at the 2011 Queensland Landcare Awards for its work with the Landcare community in delivering the South East Queensland NRM Plan 2009-2031.

The award also acknowledged SEQ Catchments’ support for Landcare across the South East Queensland region.

SEQ Catchments Northern Community Partnerships Manager Susie Chapman was also recognised with Australian Government Local Landcare Facilitator / Coordinator Award for her work in supporting Landcare, catchment and community groups across the Sunshine Coast region.

SEQ Catchments CEO Simon Warner said meeting the targets outlined in the SEQ NRM Plan depended upon partnerships with Landcare, community groups and individual landholders to carry out projects at the grassroots local level.

“Landholders play a fundamental role in protecting and sustaining the unique South East Queensland lifestyle, as the majority of the natural resources that are the focus of SEQ NRM Plan targets are on private land,” he said.

“That’s why SEQ Catchments focuses its efforts with local groups and landholders on education and property planning programs to ensure that improvements at the property level help achieve landscape level targets in the SEQ NRM Plan.

“This is delivered via a dedicated Regional Landcare Facilitator and Community Partnership Managers who live and work in their local communities. They provide groups and landholders with advice, property management planning sessions, free workshops on a range of NRM challenges and solutions as well as assistance to obtain funding for on-ground projects.

“Our people enjoy strong local networks and informal connections to the community strengthened by listening to and conversing with locals about issues on a daily basis.

“This deep connection to the community is only possible with a community based NRM model and is something many others don’t always invest time in,” Mr Warner said. To listen to Mr Warner's interview with Queensland Country Hour on ABC radio click here.

SEQ Catchments, with the support of Landcare groups and other partners, has already delivered some significant outcomes for South East Queensland’s environment with targets expected to be delivered on schedule or ahead of schedule by 2014.

SEQ Catchments undertook extensive public consultation over a four year period to ensure widespread community support for the SEQ NRM Plan and its delivery targets over the next five years.

“South East Queensland is now one of the few places in Australia where the concept of regional planning has attracted legislative support and recognition in the wider community,” Mr Warner said.