As there are two Landcare Committees operating in the Shire it means twice the work for most Committee members, however while the interest remains it is valuable for both committees to continue to function. Although membership is similar on both committees, they have varied and different responsibilities and goals.
The Land Conservation District Committee held its inaugural meeting on the 19 November in 1986.
Those who attended include, Terri Lloyd, Rodney Wright, Owen Mott, Rodney Frost (longest serving member to date) , Owen Dare, Dennis Frost, Terry Bowen (Shire CEO) and the Agricultural Department Reps were; Keith Lindbeck, Ronnie Omar and Joe Burdass (OIC, Ag Department, Katanning).
Owen Mott nominated Owen Dare to take the role as Interim Chairman.
Dennis Frost agreed to be Interim Secretary and henceforth a Committee of 9, including Joe Burdass and Jeff Patterson formed the LCDC which is still operational 33 years later. Owen Dare retired in 2016, having been an inaugural and active member on both committees. This being a prodigious effort by all account!
Today the LCDC has 11 members and it provides financial support to these local activities;
- 50% subsidy to Landowners if they order maximum of 1000 seedlings.
- $100 donation to each School to purchase educational books for the library or donation towards end of year School Achievement Awards.
- 50% subsidy to Landowners when they purchase 1080 fox baits or pindone rabbit bait.
- An operating twin disc ripper mounder, please click the link below to see the Twin disc ripper mounder (https://www.facebook.com/DumbleyungLandcareZone/photos/pcb.2312743755705131/2312743675705139/?type=3&theater)
- which will be available for use next year for a nominal donation.
- The LCDC donated $500 to The Society of Precision Agriculture of Australia Workshop which it hosted in partnership with the CRC in April, 2019 attracting 50 participants with 2 local Landowners (Bradon Mott & Glenn Ball) presenting their personal experience of adopting and implementing elements of the Seeding Guidance system. Many Thanks to the CRC for assisting with this very successful workshop.
- It also provides a local link between the Government Departments and Landowners, particularly if the Landowner is seeking permission to either install deep drains or clear paddock vegetation for agriculture or other reasons.
Following the AGM, a new Chairman has stepped up to replace Jon Adams who has been at the helm steering the ship for more than 10 years, previously a Committee Member (since 1996), including a stint as Vice Chair. As Jon resigns from this position he will be honoured for his enthusiastic approach and involvement with to the local Landcare movement and related activities. As well as for the wider region, having represented the Committee at the South West Catchment Council meetings on many occasions and being the only Landowner representing the Catchment extending from Dumbleyung to Augusta. Jon will remain on the Committee to support the new Chairman.
The size of these shoes was no deterrent for Hayden Gossage, who has bravely accepted his new role and with his progressive ideas the Committee welcomed Hayden to the position. “Congratulations Hayden on your appointment”. As a footnote, Hayden has been managing the Dumbleyung Landcare Zone Facebook page since March 2018 and has achieved 245 likes and 254 followers, another success story using technology to keep people informed.
The ship can’t sail without a crew and acknowledgement and thanks extended to the current Committee, Todd Gray (Vice Chair and Land Use), Marilyn Hasleby and Grant Lukins (Shire Council Representatives), Kevin Powell (Honorary Treasurer and Land Use), Harley Bairstow, Rodney Frost and Jon Adams (Land Use) and John Paul Collins (Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Representative from the Katanning Office).
Dumbleyung Landcare Zone
This incorporated group, has operated as the Dumbleyung Landcare Zone since the Blackwood Basin Group commenced forming zones, these areas are identified as entire drainage catchments with one outlet. Lake Dumbleyung was identified as the Upper Drainage Zone and when this was formed the Shire took on the responsibility of managing the finances, employing the Officer (with the available and generous funding provided in the early years) provided an office, vehicle and local accommodation.
This partnership has continued for 19 years!
The Zone Committee has a wider community representation, including Todd Gray as the Chair, the new Vice Chair, Hayden Gossage and various Catchment Reps including, Harley Bairstow, Jon Adams, Rod Frost, James Bennett, Kevin Powell, Stephen Wigg and Robert Temby (who is also the new Rep to attend SWCC meetings), Mel Capper (Dumbleyung Primary School), Cr Julie Ramm and Cr Grant Lukins (Shire) and Peter Crispin, Shire CEO (Treasurer), J.P. Collins and M. Kruger (State Government Agencies).
The Zone takes on the responsibilities of overseeing the Federal, State and Local Grant programs while the Shire manages the project finances. There is far less projects funded now, previously SWCC funded several projects across the Shire involving many farming properties. The current local project is “Protecting bush areas to facilitate the protection and movement of the Mallee fowl” involving fencing 84.5ha of bush and supplying 1080 baits to lay adjacent to a Reserve to control foxes. The Federal funding has significantly diminished!
The State NRM also delivers funding to Landowners, targeting revegetation and fencing bush sites and there is still strong interest every year from Landowners seeking assistance to implement these activities. Other activities are the management of pest and declared weeds for private land, roadsides and shire managed reserves. Education and training activities, landcare promotion, farm visits, Shire related water and Fence Road Drainage issues and general administration including the process of adopting new rules for the Incorporated Group.
Following the AGM last Friday October 25th, most of the members adjourned and attended Along Came Henry Café for a coffee and a light lunch, curtesy of the LCDC as a thank you to members and others for their continuous support to the Landcare Committees.
Article by C. Hadlow (Secretary for the LCDC and the Landcare Zone Committee).