Agriculture
5 November, 2023
Year of challenge, expansion for Landcare network
LODDON Plains Landcare Network has seen its staff and work expand in the past year amid a challenging loandscape for the agricultural community. Facilitator Will Sanson told last Friday’s annual meeting in Boort that there had been great community...
LODDON Plains Landcare Network has seen its staff and work expand in the past year amid a challenging loandscape for the agricultural community.
Facilitator Will Sanson told last Friday’s annual meeting in Boort that there had been great community spirit and help since the region’s flood emergency last october.
“Our agricultural community continues to be challenged as we come out the other side in the recovery from COVID, particularly relating to the rushed process of the AEMO VNI West Option 5 and 5A which would severely impact our Loddon Plains farming community and important environmental assets,” he said.
“At a network level we have had some great successes, in particular, the staff expansion with the on-ground works contracted by the North Central Catchment Management Authority which led the network to undertake works across 10 properties covering more than 20 hectares of vegetation and weed control while undertaking 25 landholder assessments to assess previous environmental works.
“As the world of volunteering changes and evolves our successes have been shown in events with our Loddon Plains farming community gathering held at the Goods Shed in March with Jeremy Forbes of HALT; Warren Davies the unbreakable farmer, and Cameron Mason playing music with over 40 people in attendance supported by the National Centre Farmer Health, and Inglewood District Community Enterprise.
“We also had great success with our women’s day in Bridgewater with over 40 women and children reconnecting post-floods, which included tree planting and basket weaving supported by Women’s Health Loddon Mallee and the Loddon Shire Council.”
Mr Sansom said the network’s regenerative agriculture program had seen great success with trial sites, soil tests, and many workshops featuring guest speakers on topics including, native grasses, native grazing, and holistic management.
“As part of the Volunteer Innovation Fund, we have also held one bird-watching workshop with Simon Starr in March which was well attended with another bird event to be held in 2023-2024,” he said.
“Our volunteer bird monitors contribute greatly to our network and citizen science and have continued undertaking Quarterly Bird Monitoring surveys throughout the Loddon Plains and we thank them for their dedication to this important role they play.
“Our groups are what makes the Loddon Plains Landcare Network and are the essence of Landcare. Many of our groups have been re-engaging post COVID while some unfortunately are struggling with ageing members and declining rural populations.”
Colleen Condliffe, who was re-elected president, said: “We are making significant progress in community engagement and development throughout the Loddon region. Bridgewater and Inglewood Schools are actively participating in Landcare.”
Mal Brown stood down as secretary after two years and has been succeeded by Katherine Drummond-Gillett.
Committee members elected on Friday were Jodi lock, John Childs, James Stewart, Chris Rothacker, Neil James, Drew Chislett and James Nelsson.