Landcare

Landcare Department

The principles behind "landcare" can be defined as a co-operative partnership between the community, local government and other agencies to sustainably manage our natural resources. The Southern Midlands Council's Landcare Program is example of this philosophy.

The Southern Midlands Council is committed to working in partnership with the community to encourage public awareness of the importance of landcare and the adoption of landcare principles. To this end, Council has developed a specific Landcare Program as part of its Strategic Plan.

The Southern Midlands Council Landcare Program has sought to promote the integration of agricultural management practices with environment conservation in order to achieve sustainable land management. This is being achieved through developing and supporting community natural resource management projects both at the group and individual level. The program also involves working with neighboring municipal councils, non government organisations such as the University of Tasmania, Greening Australia or the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association, as well as State and Federal Government agencies. For a number of current projects, the partnership approach between Council and other relevant organisations is assisting to maximise opportunities to fulfill the objectives of Council's Landcare Program.

Current Staff employed :
Maria Weeding Projects Officer & Manager Landcare Unit, (part time)
Helen Geard NRM Facilitator, (part time)

Landcare/ Natural Resource Management at the Regional (Cross Municipal Level )

Biodiversity Hotspot Project

 For further information please contact Mr Graham Green (Project and Site Assessment Officer) on (03) 6254 5048 or by email: ggreen@southernmidlands.tas.gov.au.

For more details click on the following web site:
Tasmanian Land Conservancy

Landcare/ Natural Resource Management at the Municipal Level

The landcare program has also developed a Bushcare Strategy and a Municipal Weeds Strategy. Throughout 1999 to 2003 Natural Heritage Trust funding enabled the Council to facilitate and coordinate on ground works for both these strategies throughout the Municipality. Currently there are no specific Council held funds available for landholders to implement these strategies however if there are other opportunities for funding the Landcare office will direct interested individuals into other programs offered by other organisations.

Southern Midlands Weeds Management Strategy

The Southern Midlands Weeds Management Strategy aims to ensure a coordinated and cost effective approach to weed management in the Southern Midlands in partnership with landholders. The focus for on ground works are those areas that provide maximum public benefit and help to minimise the spread of weed dispersal. The priority areas for works are road verges, railway, riparian areas and strategically important areas of remnant vegetation. By working in conjunction with landholders adjacent to these priority areas, it provides the best chance of achieving long term weed control in the municipality.

Currently there is no funding available directly through Council for landholders. If there are other opportunities for funding, the Landcare office will direct interested individuals into relevant programs offered by other organizations. The Landcare office will assist individuals by coordinating biological control agents when they are available for distribution.

Southern Midlands Bushcare Strategy

The Southern Midlands Bushcare Strategy has been adopted by Council and has four key objectives:

• To identify and protect areas of remnant native vegetation that are of high conservation priority.
• To develop links between existing remnants to produce three corridors across the municipality between the west to the east.
• To identify and protect areas of important riparian vegetation.
• To raise landholder awareness of the importance of integrating remnant vegetation management and revegetation activities into agricultural land management practices and provide incentives to encourage implementation of these activities.

Southern Midlands is committed to chasing opportunities to continue implementing the above strategy. A copy of the Bushcare Strategy can be obtained by contacting the Landcare Office.

Completed partnership and project examples

A Decision Support System for Combating Tree Decline Project

The tree decline project was completed in mid 2005. Work in this area continues with a new project being undertaken by the University of Tasmania. Tree decline is a recognised issue for a fair proportion of the Midlands and Central Highlands regions of Tasmania. Southern Midlands Council supports investigations into tree decline, being one of the issues identified in Council's Strategic Plan.

The aim of the first project was not to arrest tree decline, but to develop a framework by which this might be achieved. To arrest tree decline it is necessary to remove some of the stresses currently imposed on trees and stand regeneration. The project looked at stresses that can be manipulated and developed protocols for their practical application to combat tree decline. More information can be obtained by contacting the Landcare Office.

Understanding Groundwater Flow Systems and Processes Causing Salinity in the Southern Midlands and parts of the Clarence municipalities

The project was completed in October 2005 and was run in conjunction with a similar project entitled "Understanding groundwater flow systems and processes causing salinity in the Northern Midlands" (Northern Midlands Council as proponent) by targeting investigations into landscapes in the southern part of the NAP region to provide a more comprehensive understanding and knowledge of groundwater/salinity processes in Tasmania.

The project was able to:

1. Develop an understanding of the groundwater flow systems and processes causing or likely to cause salinity in Southern Tasmania;
2. Identify those assets (natural and economic) which are under threat from salinity; and
3. Develop appropriate management strategies to address the salinity issue.

This improved understanding is critical for prioritising and implementing strategic action to address salinity degradation within Southern Tasmania. More information can be obtained by contacting the Landcare Office.

Landcare/ Natural Resource Management at the local Level

Landcare Groups

Midlands Tree Committee

Contact: Helen Geard
Secretary
Phone: 0417 599 816

Little Swanport Catchment Management Implementation Committee

Contact: Mel Kelly
Glamorgan Spring Bay Council
Phone: (03) 6256 5056
Email: mel@freycinet.tas.gov.au 

Useful Links

Landcare

Weeds

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Department of Primary Industry and Water

Greening Australia