Some great examples of teamwork and collaboration are having a dramatic impact on the landscape around St Arnaud.

Over recent months, a veritable army of people have been working away at improving the health of the land and waterways in the region. All under the watchful eye of Kevin Spence, Landcare coordinator for the Northern Grampians and Buloke Shires.

Kevin's endless energy and detailed planning has resulted in some fantastic outcomes for the local environment. But it could not have been achieved without the collaboration of landholders and many different community and government organisations.

"We have very active and passionate Landcare groups around St Arnaud who have been achieving great things. And late last year we were fortunate to receive $345,000 as part of the Victorian Government's New Generation Landcare Grants," Kevin said.

"The money is fantastic and provided funding for materials for the work we wanted to do, but we had a problem finding people with enough time to actually carry it out.

"That's where partnerships like working with the Drought Employment Program crews have been invaluable."

The Drought Employment Program (DEP) is part of the North Central Catchment Management Authority's (CMA) drought activities and represents a $2.4 million investment from the Victorian Government's drought program.

The North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) is running the Drought Employment Program (DEP). It represents an investment of $2.4 million into the Catchment as part of the Victorian Government's drought relief efforts. Members of the works crews are farmers and people affected by the drought.

One of the DEP crews has recently been working on a collaborative project to address remnant protection, some severe erosion issues and to establish vegetation linkages across private farmland. The areas of bushland extend from the St Arnaud National Park. 

Some materials were provided by the landholder, labour by the DEP works crews, and other materials including seedlings and trees provided via the New Generation Landcare Grant. 

"Some very severe erosion has occurred on the property which will only get worse if left alone. The farmer would have found it a physical and financial burden to manage this by himself, so by working together we can help each other manage this problem and stop it from getting worse," said Kevin.

"We have had the DEP crew putting in a large amount of fencing to keep stock off the area. The local Landcare group will then come in and plant the area up with native seedlings to try to stabilise the area.

"It is a great example of collaboration providing a much greater outcome than could be achieved otherwise. By linking with the DEP works crews we will be able to realise some great biodiversity outcomes in the region and protect the land for future generations."

The DEP crews have been working around the on a wide variety of projects, on both public and private land. Projects include fencing for containment areas and stock control, weed control efforts, rabbit trapping activities and revegetation programs. All have been done in conjunction with local Landcare volunteers.

"Our network is very grateful for the support provided to our members by the DEP crews. It has given a real impetus to the region's environmental management efforts and injected new energy into existing groups. Feedback from the community has been fantastic, with very visible outcomes and a real sense of satisfaction gained by all involved."

Allison Long, North Central CMA's community and partnerships manager, agrees that the synergies between the programs have meant that a lot is able to be achieved in a short period of time.

"We have three DEP crews in St Arnaud, with others in Donald and Charlton, all of whom are contributing to essential work in the region. They have been on the ground since January this year," Allison said.

"Besides providing much needed physical support, by partnering with groups such as Landcare, landholders and other community members, the crews are also gaining new skills and a sense of accomplishment from their efforts. It's great to see significant and sustainable outcomes achieved through teamwork."

For further information please contact: 

Communications Officer, North Central CMA
PO Box 18, Huntly VIC 3551
t: 03 5448 7124
e: info@nccma.vic.gov.au