The Natural Resource Management Committee (NRMC) is a 12 member community advisory group to the North Central CMA Board. The committee provides a local community perspective to the North Central CMA on its planning, community engagement and works.

NRMC members reflect a broad geographic spread from across the region and wide range of skills and experience. Appointment to the Committee is through a public process, with membership endorsed by the North Central CMA Board. Current members were appointed in November 2008 for either a two or four year term.

Chief Executive officer, Damian Wells believes the support the committee provides to the North Central CMA and its Board is vital. “It is imperative that the North Central CMA gains a community perspective on key activities undertaken by our business.  The committee has been invaluable in proving advice on projects, the direction and focus of the Regional Catchment Strategy, identifying annual priorities for investment, reviewing the community engagement aspects of projects and developing and implementing a community engagement strategy.”

MALCOLM BROWN

NRMC Chairman, Malcolm Brown, lives on a small farm at Leichardt near Bridgewater in the mid-Loddon catchment.  Malcolm recalls when purchasing the property in 2002 - apart from some sugar gums on the driveway - there were only three large old grey box trees still standing.  Since then Malcolm and his family - driven by an interest in farm forestry - have planted about 10,000 trees to be managed for sawlog production and firewood over the next 30 years.

Malcolm realises that some people may think that planting such a large number of trees on good agricultural land is strange - one friend actually advised that: "This land is too good for trees." But, as he has found out, good land and good preparation grows good trees that also provide valuable stock shelter and grazing for his sheep, and a haven for wildlife. "One of the joys of living on a farm is being able to observe the transient birdlife that come and go amongst the plantation," Malcolm said.

As an NRMC member and Chairman, Malcolm recognises an opportunity to help strengthen the landcare movement. Having been involved in landcare since 1987, Malcolm is concerned that this powerful and important grass roots movement has - after 20 years - reached a crossroad.  "It is widely acknowledged that, for every dollar government spends on landcare, there is a seven-dollar return on the investment. This demonstrates that landcare is a very cheap and effective investment in natural resource management,"

Malcolm said.

Malcolm nominated for NRMC membership to help strengthen community participation in natural resource management and to shape the landscape that is passed on to future generations. He would like to encourage people to apply a long-term view to how we manage the enviornment, and not to get caught up in the short-term funding cycles that often frame our responses.

DAVID JONES

The effect of human activity on the natural environment has been a focus of David Jones for many years. Following his time as City of Greater Bendigo councillor, include a term as Mayor, his attention has turned to future climate change and the danger to biodiversity. In 2007, he was selected as an Al Gore Climate Ambassador and has presented on climate change to a wide range of groups and community organisations across the North Central Victoria region.

David lives in Sedgwick, at the junction of mostly Box Ironbark forest to the north, and mountainous ranges in the south. He nominated for the NRMC to have input into the dynamic and changing environment in which we find ourselves.

David views the NRMC as a bridge for new thinking, a store of ideas and a dissemination point for new science. He hopes to help foster a greater understanding of how new practices will improve productivity, allow biodiversity and encourage the community to see itself as part of the environment, not apart from it. His current role as Executive Officer to the Bendigo Sustainability Group provides a further opportunity to engage the local community in sustainable living.

CHARLIE GILLINGHAM

Third generation irrigation­-dryland farmer Charlie Gillingham, from Lake Charm, could be described as a seasoned crusader for the long-term future of irrigated agriculture in Northern Victoria.

He was recently appointed Chair of the Torrumbarry Water Services Committee, replacing Geoff Wiliams, who has progressed to become the North Central CMA Chairman. Charlie is also the inaugural President of the Lake Charm Landcare Group, member of the Torrumbarry Reconfiguration and Asset Modernisation Strategy committee, and a representative on several North Central CMA subcommittees.

A farmer for more than 25 years, Charlie produces lucerne hay, prime lambs and cereal grains. His farm at Lake Charm is near the Ramsar-listed KerangLakes and not far from other important environmental sites including the Avoca River and Avoca Marshes, Loddon River, Murray River and GunbowerForest. He aims to make the NRMC aware of and help address concerns raised by landholders in his local agricultural area.

Charlie’s vision is for greater communication, awareness and participation, with the result being appropriate and meaningful outcomes when protecting our environmental assets. Charlie is also involved in the Murrabit Football Club, Lake Charm Tennis Club and Lake Charm Yacht Club

DIANE BUNNETT

A prime lamb and grain producer from Derby, near Bridgewater, Diane became an NRMC member through her experience and interest in natural management, and how it can be incorporated into agriculture and land management. Diane is the Past President of the Wedderburn Conservation Management Network, also member of West Marong Landcare Group and the Mid-Loddon Groundwater Management Committee, which enables her to keep the local community informed of activities undertaken by the North Central CMA and its partners.

Diane’s farm north-west of Bendigo is among mixed agriculture properties featuring unique grey box trees, beautiful blocks of native vegetation and a natural groundwater resource. As an NRMC member, she seeks to support local works funded through the North Central CMA, such as the Drought Employment Program. She is also determined to ensure the NRMC completes projects, supports community groups to achieve natural resource management goals, and communicates alternative land management opportunities to landholders.

Surrounded by Box-Ironbark forests and woodlands, Marie says that her part of the Central Goldfields is a natural asset highly valued by the local community.

Marie’s key interest is engaging the Landcare community and government agencies in a strong partnership based on effective communication. “Only through such an approach can we improve natural resource management for the whole of the catchment and create a sustainable environment,” said Marie.

According to Marie, when strong communication structures and processes are in place, they foster the development of science, research and monitoring. Combined with local knowledge, passion and expertise this will ensure the environment is protected.

JOHN KNIGHT

Quambatook is home to John Knight and his family, where he lives on a farm along side the Avoca River. As a community representative on the NRMC, John’s main focus is to raise awareness of local issues relating to the Lower Avoca River along with its various creeks and wetlands– which make up a large part of the North Central CMA region – as well as highlighting the region’s natural assets.

Having a background and interest in recreation and farming activities, John would like to develop community awareness of the local places where people can visit and enjoy the environment.

John sees his involvement in the NRMC as an opportunity to encourage community interest and involvement in protecting and enjoying the environment. He also seeks to improve local understanding of the North Central CMA’s roles and responsibilities and how it can work in with the community to improve their environment.

KEN COATES

Ken is lucky to live on a farm at Natte Yollock, with the beautiful Pyrenees Ranges at his doorstep

As a local farmer, Ken is particularly impacted by decisions made relating to natural resource management issues and believes better land management is the key to remaining profitable whilst improving the environment.

Ken has a long history with natural resource management, having been involved in the original Salinity Management Plans and a Chair of the past North Central CMA Avon-Avoca Richardson Implementation Committee. He believes that representation on the NRMC is important and valuable for the local community. Being a member of the NRMC allows Ken to voice his community perspective on how Government funds should be used in his area to protect the enviornment.

Ken’s community, like most others in rural regions, has undergone significant change over the past twenty or so years. Ken says the ability to assist the North Central CMA with river management, drought, landcare and other land management issues has helped his region adapt to these changes.

During his term on the NRMC, Ken hopes to contribute to increased awareness of the North Central CMA, local projects and resources available to assist the community.

ROB LOATS

Rob has a close affinity with the Avon–Richardson River and its associated wetlands located several kilometres east of Laen. Rob has been a Waterwatch monitor for the North Central CMA for 13 years, monitoring samples from the district’s wetlands and rivers throughout the lower Avon-Richardson catchment 

Many of Rob’s interests and values are closely or directly linked with natural resource management, which provided the catalyst to become a member of the NRMC.  This involvement aligns with his passion for recreational fishing and incorporates other representation and affiliations, including: Victorian Recreational Fishing Peak Body (VRFish), Wimmera and Mid Northern Angling Associations, Donald Angling Club, Donald Landcare, Murray-Darling Basin Authority Native Fish Strategy Murray Cod Taskforce and several committees linked with the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline Project

As a NRMC member, Rob is interested in achieving improvements to the   health of all the regions riverine ecosystems including, local and iconic wetlands, enhancement of natural aquatic refugia linked with habitat protection and recognising the value and fragility of water resources whilst providing allocations for the environment, stock, domestic and irrigation customers.

RON COSGRAVE

Ron and his family live at Smeaton, in the upper part of the North Central CMA region.  The area consists of highly fertile volcanic soils, and farming is renowned for its intensity. The area is scattered with large privately-owned irrigation dams, and groundwater is heavily drawn upon for irrigation purposes.

Ron is passionate about water quality and river health, and has an active interest in Landcare and Waterwatch. His main reason for nominating to become a member of the NRMC was to make a difference to the waterways in the upper catchment areas and improve their condition for future generations.   

“We have an opportunity to preserve and improve the upper catchment areas by using best natural resource management practises, which will provide untold benefits to the local community and for those in the lower catchment,” said Ron.

During his term as a NRMC member, Ron would like see environmental improvement in the Tullaroop R eservoir catchment, including the Creswick, Bullarook, Birch’s and Tullaroop creeks.  His objective is to improve water quality and quantity for Maryborough and other townships below the Tullaroop Reservoir and along the Lower Loddon River.

SHANE O’LOUGHLIN