Future investment in catchments will be strongly influenced by a rural landholder survey being undertaken by the North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA).

The confidential survey is currently being posted to a random sample of 2,000 landholders across north central Victoria.

North Central CMA CEO Damian Wells said feedback received through the survey would underpin the organisation’s planning and investment.

“We know how passionate landholders are about the environment including their rivers, wetlands and native vegetation, this research is about deepening our understanding of that passion and identifying where we can most effectively target our efforts to ensure greatest return for the environment,” Mr Wells said.

The survey, independently conducted by the highly-regarded Professor Allan Curtis and his team at Charles Sturt University, invites participants to share their thoughts on a range of social, economic and environmental issues affecting land management.

Questions cover topics such as soil health, weeds, waterway health and more general matters including farm planning and the ways in which land owners prefer to receive information.

“We know from experience that successful on-ground outcomes are directly linked to how well we work with and listen to landholders,” Mr Wells said.

“If we’re to effectively dovetail our efforts with those of landholders, we need to hear their voice clearly – this survey is a tremendous means by which to do that. I do encourage anyone who receives the survey to fill it in.

“We’re looking forward to getting the results and to reporting on the outcomes. While the strong confidentially built into the survey means information will only be available to us on a region-wide basis, it will provide a baseline for our ongoing efforts,” Mr Wells said.

The results of the survey will be reported later this year.


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