The purpose of this Media release is to inform all stakeholders of a proposal for the future of LARC and set the AGM agenda.
The Logan-Albert Rivers Catchment Association (LARC) started the process of developing an Integrated Catchment Management (ICM) committee in 1999 and formed in October 2001 as an alliance of existing community groups. It was State Government endorsed and supported, and was the ICM peak group, for the rivers and tributaries of the Logan and Albert Rivers Catchment.
The original membership of LARC was a unique mix, membership was “specific” and “restricted” and it created an umbrella body which represented over 20 organisations on a voluntary basis.
Members included Government: Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Scenic Rim Regional Council, Logan City Council and Redland Shire Council. Rural: Agforce, Dairyfarmers, Canegrowers and Prawnfarmers Associations. Environment: Fassifern Field Naturalists, Logan and Albert Conservation Association, Beaudesert Landcare, Eprapah Creek Catchment Management and Landcare Association, Wildlife Preservation Society-Logan Branch. Community: Logan United Citizens Inc, Carpbusters Inc, Yugambeh Land Enterprise Inc. Commerce and Industry: CSR, Beaudesert Tourism, Urban Development Institute of Australia and Gelita Australia
Take a good look at the groups above, this is an incredible spectrum. Where else would you have green groups, conservatives, rural groups, land developers, traditional owners, industry and local government working so closely?
Whilst members were voluntary LARC obtained funding (from NHT) for coordination and with this came activity and with this further funding for some very significant projects. LARC did some amazing work!!!
Then the funding changed, catchment groups were amalgamated then amalgamated even further. Now we have a large organisation called South East Queensland Catchments as an over arching NRM group.
SEQ Catchments are sufficiently (but not adequately) resourced, they have very skilled staff and they have undertaken some valuable projects and achieved good results.
The changes resulted in some bruised egos and a significant change in the style of consultation. Because the local coordinator was measured by outcomes, consultation was 1 on 1 and focused on small groups that could deliver on ground outcomes (small farmer groups. 1 Landcare group and 1 local government). Some of LARC’s members became disenfranchised.
LARC had its faults, its selected membership didn’t allow new member groups entry and it did not have a way of changing itself as activity slowed combined with altered funding support. LARC continued without funding, supported mostly by the work of 2 volunteering individuals. This reached crisis point at the last LARC AGM. (we can’t simply expect volunteers to do so much work). The executive put forward a motion to enable the membership to be opened up. But the executive was also prepared to wind up LARC unless new volunteers could be found. (see minutes of the last AGM).
Three individuals agreed to take on the role as caretakers because they felt the Integrated Catchment Model set up by LARC was far too valuable to the catchment to lose. Their objective was to try to find a way forward for the LARC’s ICM model.
It should be noted that the catchment is NOT in good health. The current Healthy Waterways report card is a disgraceful result for the Logan and Albert. Some view the results as bordering on the worst river system in Australia, in fact before the floods our system was a major contributor to the poor health of Moreton Bay. We have significant erosion problems, significantly disturbed and worsening stream banks, we have terrible urban development land management practices, poor agricultural land management practices and expanding and developing industries and population growing the diffuse pollution load.
SEQ Catchments Chief Executive, Mr Simon Warner shares the same view of LARC’s current executive. He also does not want to see the community consultation model set up by LARC lost and understands that our catchment is in a seriously bad state. Whilst the work being undertaken on ground by a small number of land holders and the 1 Landcare group working with SEQ Catchments is very good it is miniscule compared to the size of the problem. SEQ Catchments have focused on the upper reaches of the system where resources can achieve the greatest impact and the system is in relatively a good state. They have yet to tackle the real big issues and when they do they will need much more resources and a far greater community base to work with.
It is for this reason that SEQ Catchments and LARC are going to work together to reinvigorate the consultative model developed by LARC. SEQ Catchments has agreed to support funding a coordination role and it is hoped additional funds from the government representatives on LARC will also contribute to coordination.
The president of LARC will present a proposal to progress this plan at the upcoming Annual General Meeting of LARC 7:30pm, 9th May at the Beaudesert Hotel, Cnr Brisbane and Short St Beaudesert. Guest speaker is Simon Warner from SEQ Catchments.
For more information contact President Dale Anderson 0407663472 or Secretary Mathew Arkinstall 0429618147
President ph : 0407663472 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Secretary ph :0429618147 Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.