national conservation incentives forum · location: eagle function centre time: 6.00 - 8.30pm...

National Conservation Incentives Forum

La Trobe University Melbourne (Bundoora) CampusTuesday 5th - Friday 8th July 2005

FORUM HANDBOOK

CONTENTS

Page

Welcome ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 1

Background .................................................................................................................................................................................... 1

Sponsors ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 2

Registration Desk Hours & Location .............................................................................................................................................. 2

Messages ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 2

Mobile Phones ................................................................................................................................................................................ 2

Dress Code ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 2

Name Badges ................................................................................................................................................................................. 2

Venues ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 2

Car Parking ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 2

On Campus Shops ......................................................................................................................................................................... 2

Social Program ............................................................................................................................................................................... 3

Internet Facilities ............................................................................................................................................................................ 3

Coach Transfers ............................................................................................................................................................................. 4

Trust For Nature .............................................................................................................................................................................. 4

Sponsors’ Profile ............................................................................................................................................................................ 4

Program in Detail

Tuesday 5th July 2005 .............................................................................................................................................................. 6

Wednesday 6th July 2005 ........................................................................................................................................................ 7

Thursday 7th July 2005 ............................................................................................................................................................ 8

Friday 8th July 2005 ................................................................................................................................................................. 9

La Trobe University Map ............................................................................................................................................................... 10

Session Overviews ....................................................................................................................................................................... 11

Wednesday & Friday Workshop Overviews .................................................................................................................................. 11

Thursday Workshop Overviews .................................................................................................................................................... 13

Photographs supplied by Paul Sinclair & La Trobe University.

Designed and Produced by DNA Integrated Communications - 03 9557 9711 or [email protected]

This Handbook is printed on “Envirocare 100% Recycled”, a 100% enviromently friendly uncoated paper manufactured entirely from waste paper. The special grades of waste content used are difficult to recycle and include carbonless & thermal papers, these papers would normally go to landfill. Envirocare is elemental chlorine free and manufactured without the addition of optical brighteners.

5 Ruby Street East Burwood VIC 3151Phone: 03 9803 4225 - Fax: 03 9803 6644Email: [email protected] - www.conferenceworks.net.au

1La Trobe University Melbourne (Bundoora) Campus

WELCOME

Welcome - on behalf of the Trust for Nature, the Department of the Environment and Heritage, a steering committee drawn from experts across Australia and sponsors - La Trobe University, Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering & Melbourne Wildlife Sanctuary. I am pleased to welcome you to the National Conservation Incentives Forum.

The Forum has been developed as part of a Natural Heritage Trust national project, ‘Taking Advantage of Conservation Opportunities and Encouraging Philanthropy’. It is a valuable opportunity for you to explore and share knowledge, skills and experience in managing conservation incentive programs.

The program emphasises interactive workshops and training sessions that provide an understanding of the range of incentives available and workshops and seminars on planning for and implementing incentive programs. The conference day (Thursday) includes keynote addresses and a range of smaller symposia on issues including engaging and working with landholders, Local Government use of incentives, conservation covenants and philanthropy. As the Forum takes place during National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week, the first evening of the Forum will celebrate Indigenous culture.

We hope you enjoy the excellent social program and the many opportunities for participants to network with colleagues from around Australia.

Dr Michael Looker David Borthwick Director Secretary Trust for Nature Department of the Environment and Heritage

BACKGROUND

The National Conservation Incentives Forum was developed as part of a Natural Heritage Trust project, ‘Taking Advantage of Conservation Opportunities and Encouraging Philanthropy’. It is a valuable opportunity for you to explore and share knowledge, skills and experience in managing conservation incentive programs.

The Forum is aimed at anyone involved in designing or implementing on ground incentive programs for natural resource conservation, including at the catchment level. It is a four-day program that brings together experts from around Australia. It provides a mix of plenary and workshop sessions. Topics include engaging and working with landholders, local government, use of incentives, conservation covenants and philanthropy. Workshops explore market based instruments, landscape planning and ongoing management and stewardship arrangements.

The Forum is jointly presented by Trust for Nature (Victoria) and the Commonwealth Department of Environment and Heritage, in partnership with La Trobe University Melbourne (Bundoora) Campus.

Day One Focuses on the design and implementation of conservation incentives, with examples of innovative approaches from State Governments, Local Government, Regional Bodies and the non-Government sector.

Day Two Participants will explore the specifics of market based instruments, landscape planning, ongoing management and stewardship and targeting investment. The workshops are repeated on Day four to provide participants with extra options.

Day Three Focuses on the opportunities (or the need) to manage biodiversity conservation and development within high-pressure zones. This will consider minimising the loss of biodiversity, maximising opportunities for conservation gains and issues such as urban amenity, water quantity and quality.

What will the future look like for our natural resources as people head for the coast and the bush? What will this mean for governments, industry and the community – what are the opportunities and challenges? Through a series of keynote speakers and workshops, participants will explore the future facing conservation of our resources in our rapidly urbanising environments.

This major event recognises that the delivery of sound management of Australia’s biodiversity and land resources is a partnership between landholders, governments, industry, the community and educational institutions.

2 National Conservation Incentives Forum

SPONSORS

Trust for Nature and the Department of Environment & Heritage would like to thank La Trobe University, Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering and the Melbourne Wildlife Sanctuary for their generosity and support.

REGISTRATION DESK HOURS & LOCATION

The Forum’s Registration Desk is located on the ground floor in the foyer area of the West Lecture Theatre complex.

Tuesday 5th July: 8.15am - 6.00pm Wednesday 6th July: 8.00am - 5.30pm Thursday 7th July: 8.15am - 7.00pm Friday 8th July: 8.00am - 3.30pm

If you require assistance outside of these times please check the after hours contact numbers on the message board.

MESSAGES

For your convenience a message board will be placed near the main registration area.

MOBILE PHONES

As a courtesy to all delegates, mobile phones must be turned off during all sessions.

DRESS CODE

Smart casual attire is recommended for the forum business sessions and all social events. Please wear appropriate shoes and bring a warm jacket for Wednesday as we will be at the Melbourne Wildlife Sanctuary for lunch and will have the opportunity to walk around the grounds.

NAME BADGES

Delegates are requested to wear their Name Badge throughout the forum to facilitate admission to sessions and social functions.

VENUES

All Forum Plenary sessions are held in West Lecture Theatre 1. The West Theatre complex is adjacent to Carpark 1. Other venues are: Computer Laboratories in the Beth Gleeson Building Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering, Health Sciences Building 3, George Singer Building and the Melbourne Wildlife Sanctuary.

CAR PARKING

Forum delegates are asked to park in Carpark 1 (adjacent to the West Lecture Theatres). The car parking rate for forum delegates is $2.20 per day. Please park your car and purchase a parking voucher from the forum registration desk. Parking vouchers must be displayed on the windscreen of your vehicle.

Delegate cars are not to be parked in the red zoned parking areas at the University.

ON CAMPUS SHOPS

Agora Shops

The Agora (E4 on Campus Map) houses a number of shops including two banks (and ATMs), the University book store, a souvenir shop, chemist, post office, hairdresser and a variety of take-away food stores. Shops are open weekdays.

Sport and Recreation Facilities

The Sport and Recreation Centre is open to the public (H3 on Campus Map). Facilities include a pool, gymnasium, weight room, squash, racquet ball and tennis courts.


SOCIAL PROGRAMS

Tuesday Evening Drinks

When: Tuesday 5 July Location: West Lecture Theatre Foyer Time: 5.00 - 6.00pm

Drinks and light finger food will be served in the West Lecture Theatre Foyer at the conclusion of the Tuesday Forum Program.

Tuesday Evening Welcome Dinner & Indigenous Cultural Event

When: Tuesday 5 July Location: Eagle Function Centre Time: 6.00 - 8.30pm

Dinner will be served in the Eagle Function Centre.

Coaches will arrive at 8.45pm at the Eagle Function Centre for transfers back to the Rydges Hotel on Bell Street Preston and Rydges Hotel on Exhibition Street Melbourne

Wednesday Evening Dinner

When: Wednesday 6 July Location: Eagle Function Centre Time: 5.30 - 7.00pm

Dinner will be served in the Eagle Function Centre. Please ensure you make your way back to the West Lecture Theatre by 18.50pm for the start of the evening seminar The Challenge of Philanthropy in the 21st Century.

Coaches will arrive at 8.45pm at the West Lecture Theatre for transfers back to the Rydges Hotel on Bell Street Preston and Rydges Hotel on Exhibition Street Melbourne.

Happy Hour & Poster Session

When: Thursday 7 July Location: West Lecture Theatre Foyer Time: 5.30 - 7.00pm

A great opportunity to view the poster displays over a drink prior to the Conference Dinner.

Conference Dinner

When: Thursday 7 July Location: Eagle Function Centre Time: 7.00 - 8.30pm

The Conference Dinner promises to be a social highlight of the forum with a surprise guest speaker and will include great food in a relaxed and entertaining atmosphere.

INTERNET FACILITIES

Internet facilities are available in the Union Computer Lab located in the Union Building, near the Eagle Function Centre.

The hours of operation are 9.00am - 4.00pm weekdays. The use of these facilities is via gold coin donation. Please visit the registration desk beforehand to gain the password for access.


COACH TRANSFERS

To Rydges Hotel Rydges Hotel La Trobe Uni on Exhibition St on Bell St Car Park 1

Tuesday 5 July 7.30am 7.50am 8.15am Wednesday 6 July 7.30am 7.50am 8.15am Thursday 7 July 7.45am 8.15am 8.40am Friday 8 July 7.30am 7.50am 8.15am

Return Pick up La Trobe Uni

Tuesday Eagle Function Centre 8.45pm Wednesday West Lecture Theatre 8.45pm Thursday Eagle Function Centre 8.45pm Friday (TBC) Bus 1 - West Lecture Theatre to Airport 3.40pm Melbourne Airport Bus 2 - West Lecture Theatre to Hotels 3.40pm Rydges Hotels

If you require the bus transfer to the airport please see us at the registration desk to book your place.

TRUST FOR NATURE

The Trust was established in 1972 as a body corporate under the Victorian Conservation Trust Act (1972) and was designed to protect Australia’s bush. Initially Trust for Nature protected land by facilitating land conservation, generating funds for conservation works and purchasing threatened privately-owned bush. In 1978, the act was amended empowering the Trust to allow land owners to place voluntary conservation covenants on their land thus permanently protecting significant area’s of natural bush – forever! In 1989, the Revolving Fund was introduced as a key component to the Trust enabling the generation of revenue for strategic land purchases through the sale of covenanted properties.

Trust for Nature’s Mission - PROTECT AUSTRALIA’S BUSH

SPONSORS’ PROFILE

LA TROBE UNIVERSITY, FACULTY OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING

The Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering offers a broad range of science, computer science and computer engineering, and electronic engineering programs.

Our science courses include agricultural and environmental sciences, psychology, chemical and physical sciences, biological sciences including biotechnology, medical science and bioinformatics, and mathematical and statistical sciences.

The Faculty offers a full range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, including masters by coursework programs in biotechnology and bioinformatics, computer science, and electronic engineering.

Broad areas of research strength within the Faculty focus on molecular and cell biology, environmental science and management, materials and surface science, information and communication technologies, mathematical and statistical sciences, and biological and environmental determinants of behavior.

The Faculty has an excellent science education program and industry cadetship program, and offers quality teaching coupled with practical laboratory and field work.

The Faculty has an outstanding research record, and has won accolades for its research and teaching in science, computer science and software engineering, agricultural science, mathematical science and psychological science. The Faculty provides a supportive teaching and research experience for all its students.


THE MELBOURNE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY AT LA TROBE UNIVERSITY

The Melbourne Wildlife Sanctuary provides an indigenous natural environment for conservation, education and research activities that support the learning and teaching objectives of La Trobe University. The 28 hectare site, adjacent to the Melbourne (Bundoora) campus of La Trobe University’s main campus at Bundoora, Melbourne contains beautiful wetlandsand woodlands which include 400 year old river red gums. The Sanctuary is home to 175 species of birds and mammalsin a pre-European settlement setting.

The Melbourne Wildlife Sanctuary:

• restores and conserves the indigenous environment of the Melbourne Wildlife Sanctuary and associated reserves

• provides a natural and secure environment for local wildlife;

• facilitates education and research programs of the University and community organisations;

• promotes the University’s commitment to environmental best practice and sustainability in visible and practical ways.

• initiates and participates in corporate community relationships, including commercial relationships, that add valueto the Sanctuary and enhance its mission.

La Trobe University offers courses specialising in environmental management, including water conservation. All are strongly supported by the physical environment of the campuses on which the courses are taught.

As part of its water conservation program, La Trobe University’s Melbourne (Bundoora) campus has provided collection ponds for its stormwater - and that of neighbouring properties – in the form of beautiful lakes in the northern sector of the campus, incorporating the Melbourne Wildlife Sanctuary. The collected water is used to irrigate the University grounds and playing fi elds.

Within this context, the Melbourne Wildlife Sanctuary provides La Trobe University staff with opportunities to contribute academic expertise to activities of an educational nature that advance the objectives of community organisations involvedin conservation and environmental best practice.


PROGRAM IN DETAIL


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SESSION OVERVIEWS

TUESDAY

TU1 Commonwealth Issues/State AgenciesTU2 Catchment/Regional (with NGO)TU3 Local Government

Keynote presenters will facilitate a discussion on leading edge issues for incentives at the Commonwealth/State Government level, Local Government Level and Catchment Regional Level.

WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY WORKSHOP OVERVIEWS

AUCTIONS & TENDERS - WE1-A & FR1-ADr Stuart Whitten PhD (UNSW), M Phil (Cambridge), B Ag Ec (UNE), CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems

Auctions offer substantial potential to improve natural resource outcomes across Australia. But when should they be used and how should they be designed? This workshop will provide an overview of auction strengths and weaknesses and their application in Australia to date. Careful attention must be placed on auction design to achieve their potential. Auction design includes effective measurement of environmental outcomes and the extent and availability of information about the costs and management options held by potential participants. Several tools for helping to design and implement auctions will be demonstrated. The workshop will include a hands-on auction to demonstrate some important design aspects.

Bio Stuart leads CSIRO’s Markets for Ecosystem Services Project and a number of complementary multidisciplinary research projects including several market-based instrument pilot projects. The major focus of his work is to build the capacity of regional communities by creating markets that reward landholders for the ecosystem services that they provide. Ecosystem services markets that are being focused on within this portfolio of research include: offset schemes for nutrients, salinity and waterlogging, rural development impacts, tradable credits for groundwater management; and, innovative auction designs.

OTHER MBIS INCLUDING TRADEABLE PERMITS & OFFSETS - WE1-B & FR1-BDrew Collins, BDA Group

In this workshop the range of tradeable rights instruments for environmental management will be introduced and experiences in Australia and overseas reviewed. Discussion will include the alignment of instruments and policy objectives, how instruments operate, their limitations and factors infl uencing instrument choice. A market experiment will be conduced in the workshop to illustrate critical design issues.

As the choice and success of tradeable rights instruments has varied widely, the objective of the Workshop is to develop skills in examining opportunities, rather than attempt to provide a ‘recipe-book’ approach. The workshop will seek to arm participants with the key questions they need to ask when considering the use of tradeable rights instruments.

Bio Drew has 25 years experience in natural resource and environmental policy development and analysis, including in the areas of natural resource management, pollution tax and trading schemes, water pricing and allocation, and the design of market instruments for environmental management. Drew has held senior executive positions in natural resource and environmental management with the Commonwealth and NSW governments, and is currently a Partner at BDA Group - a strategic consulting company specialising in economic and environmental analysis. Drew has led a number of BDA Group assignments exploring opportunities for environmental policy reform and the greater use of market based instruments, including in the biodiversity, waste, water, forestry and energy sectors.


LANDSCAPE SCALE PLANNING APPROACH (5S Model) - WE2, WE3 & FR2 & FR3 Dr Chris Williams and Ms Natalie Holland, Trust for Nature Ms Jora Young, The Nature Conservancy, USA

Landscape scale conservation has become one of the most important approaches to gaining greater outcomes for biodiversity protection and enhancement in recent times. It is now widely recognised around the globe that the focus for conservation of the fragmented natural environment needs to move to a landscape scale creating larger functional landscapes. Bioregional planning, to create more natural boundaries across Australia, has been an important new approach in the past decade for conservation and a result of this new direction, Trust for Nature has adopted the “5S” planning approach to plan and implement landscape scale projects across Victoria. This workshop will discuss in depth this new “5S” approach and will focus on: 1/The basis, background and need for conservation to engage at a landscape scale 2/The terminology used in landscape scale planning 3/Methods used to plan for landscape scale projects, especially the 5S approach 4/The programs already achieving conservation outcomes at a landscape scale, eg conservation management networks, biosphere programs etc.

TARGETING INVESTMENT FOR CONSERVATION OUTCOMES - WE4 Exchange: National Vegetation Knowledge Service - linking knowledge and practice. Facilitator: Mark Butz Futures by DesignTM Carl Binning - Greening Australia

This interactive session examines in depth the development and use of information and knowledge to guide priorities and targeted approaches at a strategic (program or regional) level, structured around an adaptive management approach.

Content is presented at both conceptual and practical levels, with case studies to deepen understanding of:

• Planning and setting priorities at whole of-landscape scale • Landscape assessment and participant engagement • Monitoring/review and feedback into adaptive management.

Brief introductory presentations are used to stimulate participant interaction with an expert panel, so that group discussion comprises most of the session.

ONGOING MANAGEMENT AND STEWARDSHIP - WE5, WE6 & FR5-A, FR5-B Wednesday sessions incorporates an onsite visit to Melbourne Wildlife Sanctuary Jane Elix & Judy Lambert Community Solutions

‘Stewardship’ is receiving increasing attention as a way of achieving sustainable management of rural landscapes across Australia. Being clear about how far the stewardship ethic extends beyond individual landholder responsibility to the wider ‘public good’ is important in developing effective Conservation Incentives. In this workshop the partners in Community Solutions, Jane Elix and Judy Lambert, will use their own experiences in interacting with the diversity of landholders and others interested in land management, to draw out the collective knowledge among participants. A greater shared understanding of stewardship, the costs and opportunities for fostering it, the tax and other financial implications of stewardship payments, and the role of conservation networks within that process will result

Bio Since establishing Community Solutions in 1993, Jane Elix and Judy Lambert have directed their work to bringing people together to enhance social and environmental sustainability and to improve working relationships between people with diverse interests. Judy’s interest lies particularly in bringing together scientific and on-ground knowledge in both urban and rural areas, while Jane specialises in community engagement, consensus-building and conflict management.


ONSITE VISIT TO MELBOURNE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY - WE5 & WE6 (Practical Conservation Objectives for Remnant Bushland) Dr Michael Clarke, Dr Tim New and George Paras, La Trobe University

La Trobe University’s Melbourne Wildlife Sanctuary exemplifies some principles of restoration of cleared and degraded landscapes; these will be demonstrated by a short tour at the start of the session.

Major issues to be introduced in a workshop discussion (we hope with active input of attendees) will include (a) effects and control of feral predators and other invasive animals; (b) weed control as a key tool of assisted regeneration; (c) grazing management, including roles of and pressures from native herbivores. We will facilitate examination by the group of; (a) the critical features of effective management plans and how these may be executed in relation to (b) SMART objectives and realistic monitoring/appraisal of progress toward these, as well as (c) highlighting and exploring advantages of responsive and adaptive land management for enhancing conservation values.

Bio Assoc. Prof Mike Clarke Assoc. Prof Mike Clarke is an ecologist whose research has focussed on gaining a better understanding of threatened species and threatening processes. He has a particular interest in the role of fire in maintaining biodiversity and also in the impact upon biodiversity of superabundant indigenous species. He serves on several national Recovery teams for threatened species and is the Convenor of the Scientific Advisory Committee to the Victorian Minister for Environment in regard to the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act.

ADDRESSING BARRIERS TO IMPLEMENTATION EXCHANGE - FR4-A & FR4-B Exchange: National Vegetation Knowledge Service - linking knowledge and practice Mark Butz from Futures by Design

This highly interactive workshop seeks participant feedback on barriers to successful implementation of targeted approaches and incentives, and taps into ideas on key strategies to overcome those barriers. This draws on all that participants have seen and heard through the preceding days of the Forum and on diverse experiences of ‘on-ground realities’. A particular focus will be identification of the kind of information resources required to bridge gaps between knowledge and practice at all levels and across sectors. Participant outputs will be compiled to guide development of additional information resources following the Forum.

THURSDAY WORKSHOP OVERVIEWS

LOCAL GOVERNMENT INCENTIVES - ISSUES & OPTIONS - TH1 Hosted by the Australian Local Government Association Rick Galbraith, Crows Nest Shire

Crows Nest Shire has developed an integrated natural resource management program (that includes conservation) to encourage and support sustainable natural resource management in the Shire. Key elements of the program include:

• Compilation and publication of good quality NRM information to provide a foundation for; property management planning, Council’s Town Planning Scheme and economic development.

• Partnerships with Landcare and catchment management groups• A range of innovative mechanisms and assistance programs to encourage nature conservation• Access to Council’s NRM workcrew to assist with onground conservation works on private lands.

Council is exploring the potential for an ecosystem services approach to value the Shire’s natural resources. This will assist landholders to value the resources under their management and encourage positive nature conservation outcomes.

Bio Rick Galbraith has worked in local government with an emphasis on natural resource management for the past 15 years. He has extensive experience in nature conservation extension, utilising incentive programs to achieve onground outcomes throughout southern inland Queensland and working with conservative rural landholders to achieve conservation outcomes. Rick is always looking for opportunities and mechanisms to engage landholders to achieve positive NRM outcomes.


INTEGRATED CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT IN THE COORONG DISTRICT COUNCIL AREAGraham J Gates, Coorong District Council

The Coorong District Council was one of the fi rst councils in Australia to incorporate the environment into their Strategic and Development Plans as well as developing and implementing a Local Action Plan (LAP) to address the areas natural resource management issues, including dryland salinity, native vegetation decline, wind erosion and water resources.

The Council considers natural resource management as core business, as Council’s rate base and assets are directly threatened by land degradation.

The LAP committee has carried out over 120,000 hectares of on-ground works since 1997, with the assistance of NHT and NAP funding. The community has embraced the plan, with more than two thirds of landholders actively participating in the program.

The Council has been a pioneer in the development of inland aquaculture using saline groundwater, demonstrating the potential of a viable aquaculture industry as well as delivering environmental benefi ts through alleviate rising water tables, a major cause of dryland salinity.

Bio Graham Gates has been employed by the Coorong District Council as project manager for the Coorong District Local Action Plan Committee since its inception in 1995. He has an active role in the environment, dryland salinity management, water policy and the new regional NRM delivery arrangements in SA. He a keen interest in promoting Local Government’s emerging role in natural resource management, and is a member of numerous groups and Committees including:- State Dryland Salinity Technical Advisory Group.- Tintinara / Coonalpyn Land and Water Management Plan Committee- Coorong National Parks Consultative Committee

THE CHALLENGES CONFRONTING LOCAL GOVERNMENT - A WESTERN AUSTRALIAN PERSPECTIVERyan Taylor, Western Australian Local Government Association

The Western Australian Local Government Association with the support of the Swan Catchment Council, South West Catchment Council and State Government encourages Local Governments to plan for the retention, protection and management of natural areas through the preparation of local biodiversity strategies. Among other things local biodiversity strategies provide the framework for identifying and prioritising those landholders to be targeted for incentives. There are however many challenges confronting local governments as they try to offer incentives and negotiate an appropriate level of protection for natural areas on private land. Some of the major issues impacting on Local Governments ability to facilitate private land conservation include: State land tax; confusion on the effectiveness and relationship of conservation zonings and restrictive covenants; low revenue base of rural local Governments and the absence of a framework for coordinated shared investment from all levels of Government.

Bio Ryan Taylor has been fortunate enough, since 1999 to have worked on two signifi cant NRM projects in the South West of WA. Ryan was the Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator for the Blackwood Basin Group from 1999-2001, this involved coordinating community environmental monitoring programs throughout the Blackwood Basin. Since moving from the Blackwood, Ryan has worked with Western Australian Local Government Association and is one of the authors of the Local Government Biodiversity Planning Guidelines for the Perth Metropolitan Region.


COMMUNICATION & WHAT ELSE? STRATEGIES FOR CONSERVATION INCENTIVES DEVELOPMENT Sonia Culley, Gold Coast City Council

Community Based Social Marketing principles have recently been promoted throughout Australia in workshops on Fostering Sustainable Behaviour Change. These principles indicate that conservation programs should focus on behaviour change, not just attitude change.

GCCC’s Nature Conservation Market Research and Communication Project is providing valuable insights into the Gold Coast community that will shape the development of nature conservation partnerships on private land.

This presentation will outline the outcomes of the Nature Conservation Market Research and Communication Project, how Community Based Social Marketing principles might influence the final Communication Strategy, and the relevance to other local governments developing conservation programs.

Bio Sonia Culley is a professional environmental planner with 15 years experience in conservation planning and management. Her background includes state and local government experience including the development, delivery and management of a range of natural resource management programs.

Well known within the South East Queensland NRM industry, Sonia has had an active involvement in a range of regional program management roles. These include south east Queensland’s (local government) Land for Wildlife Program; Farm Forestry, Roadside Conservation and Environmental Weed initiatives; and the SEQ’s Fire and Biodiversity Consortium.

Sonia’s experience includes six years in Victoria in a range of roles focusing on landcare, salinity, pest plant and animal control and catchment management. She has spent the last eight years in local government in South East Queensland, with Ipswich City Council and now with Gold Coast City Council.

EUROBODALLA CONSERVATION INCENTIVES Debby Lenson, Eurobodalla Council

The Eurobodalla Biodiversity Project 2005 works with the natural resource layers produced via the geographical information system, produced from the outcomes of the Eurobodalla Coastal Environmental Capacity Planning project (2000). This project developed constraints mapping that is useful for Strategic and Natural Resource Planning.

The Biodiversity Project looks strategically at the Eurobodalla Shire on the southern NSW coast. The project is able to identify natural resource layers like soil landscapes; vegetation and forest ecosystems; fauna habitat assessment; and estuary vulnerability to determine priority sites for restoration and conservation works.

The development of a proactive project to include landholders in conservation also saw the development of a 10-year management agreement. This is to ensure ownership responsibilities, costs and ongoing maintenance requirements are met by the landholders. While these management agreements are non-binding there have been multiple benefits since their inception.

The further integration of natural resource management with landuse planning is one of the major current challenges for Local Government. Council is reviewing the options in regard to the Catchment Management Authorities of NSW and the introduction of Property Vegetation Plans. Further options like tradeable development rights, offsets, rate rebates or reductions, bonus development rights and potential rezoning of lands through the Local Environment Plan are being evaluated.

This presentation will focus on the current management agreement being utilised by Council and its benefits and also touch on the review of the further options.

Bio Debby Lenson is the Environment Team Leader from Eurobodalla Council, south coast New South Wales. She coordinates the natural resource management components of planning, implementation and education for the Council. Her initial work included consulting for the Eurobodalla Coastal Capacity Planning Project in 2000 which has lead to much of the strategic development of project works with her team today.


USING COVENANTS & REVOLVING FUNDS IN COASTAL AND PERI-URBAN ENVIRONMENTS - TH2 Tom Perrigo – National Trust of Australia (WA)

The National Trust in Western Australia established both a conservation covenanting and a revolving fund program in the late 90s, more or less from scratch. It did have tremendous assistance from the Trust for Nature for its conservation covenants project; however, it also had to undertake considerable work to establish and develop the program in Western Australia.

This workshop/forum will present the Trust’s policies and detailed processes for both of these programs. This work is a result of many people who will all be acknowledged in the manuals.

One objective is to enable many others to contribute to these with a view to presenting them on the web as manuals for those wishing to undertake similar work. Another is to get constructive comments and discussions on how this work can be improved to ensure greater effectiveness and efficiency Australia-wide.

The presentations will be facilitated by the National Trust of Australia (WA) and the Department of Conservation & Land Management.

The National Trust of Australia (WA) is a community-based heritage organisation, whose mission is to conserve and interpret Western Australia’s heritage.

The Department of Conservation and Land Management is part of a greater conservation community and has distinct State government responsibilities for implementing Government policy within that community. Conservation is a collective role.

Bio The presentations will be facilitated by the National Trust of Australia (WA) and the Department of Conservation & Land Management.

The National Trust of Australia (WA) is a community-based heritage organisation, whose mission is to conserve and interpret Western Australia’s heritage.

The Department of Conservation and Land Management is part of a greater conservation community and has distinct State government responsibilities for implementing Government policy within that community. Conservation is a collective role.

INDIGENOUS PERSPECTIVES ON COASTAL CONSERVATION & LAND MANAGEMENT PARTNERSHIPS - TH3 Denis Rose, Winda-Mara Aboriginal Corporation

Winda Mara Aboriginal Corporation is an Indigenous community-controlled organisation (established 1991) that has a commitment to natural and cultural resource management. The Corporation is involved in the following activities;

• Management of the Lake Condah Aboriginal Mission and Cemetery.• Management of the other Aboriginal owned properties.• Establishment of the Winda Mara Land Management Team (2001).• Lead partner of the Lake Condah Sustainable Development Project - www.lakecondah.com (2002).• Development of the Tyrendarra Property Management Plan and declaration of the property as an Indigenous Protected

Area (2003).• Conducting fauna and flora surveys on Aboriginal owned properties within the Mount Eccles lava flow• Developing a Botanical Management Plan for the Mount Eccles Lava Flow

Winda Mara continues to have a leading role as a natural and cultural resource management organisation within the region. One of our major immediate aims is for the restoration of water into Lake Condah which is listed as a nationally important wetland. Lake Condah has been drained for over a century except in times of extreme flooding and this has had a devastating impact on local flora.

Winda Mara has also received support to analyse and interpret high resolution aerial photography of the Mt Eccles lava flow. The focus for this project is both archaeological and ecological by comparing the effects of 50 years of European landuse on the environment, both land and water based.

Information that will be gained from the proposed project is a necessary component of the future management plans for the areas envisaged National Heritage and World Heritage listings; and the timely restoration of Lake Condah and wetlands along the Mt Eccles lava flow.


WORKING WITH LIFESTYLE LAND OWNERS/HOBBY FARMERS - TH4 Rod Safstrom, Environs Consulting Pty Ltd Chris Ferreira, Landcare Solutions Delivering Vibrant Small Landholder Communities

Vibrant communities are socially, economically and environmentally sustainable communities. This is the potential for our small landholders and lifestylers.

Traditional incentive mechanisms have been designed to create a better environment but may not have considered social, economic and environmental outcomes.

What can we do as extension officers and consultants to empower communities to achieve sustainable environments?

This workshop will look at why Heavenly Hectares and Great Gardens, two programs from Western Australia, have created significant change for urban and small landholder environments. We will workshop other incentive tools and test whether they can be adapted to deliver holistic outcomes.

Bio Rod Safstrom is a forester, extension officer, natural resource manager and consultant in a range of conservation and environmental spheres. His approach is goal orientated, rather than threat focussed.

Rod has been engaging with a wide range of community and stakeholder groups since 1979 involving bushland protection, revegetation, farm forestry and sustainability in Victoria and Western Australia. As an owner of small acreage properties, Rod learnt first hand the enjoyment and challenges of managing small properties.

WORKING TOGETHER - COLLABORATE NOW: AVOID THE RUSH - TH5&6 Jane Elix & Judy Lambert, Community Solutions Michael Williams, Michael Williams & Associates

Partnerships are a current focus of natural resource management, and especially an important focus when working with landholders on private land. The ‘Working Together’ workshops focus on partnerships involving people from different backgrounds and interests working together to achieve sustainable landscape management at the individual property, landscape, regional, state and national scales. To engage in effective partnerships, people need to understand each other’s values, goals, and the principles and practices by which they operate on a day-to-day basis. The workshops will bring together a range of different stakeholders and the participants from these various sectors to explore their own perspectives on relevant issues. Concurrent and parallel sessions will build on the experience of Sydney-based NRM facilitator Mike Williams, principal of Michael Williams & Associates and Board Member of the NSW Nature Conservation Trust, and of Community Solutions partners Judy Lambert and Jane Elix, each of whom has decades of experience in designing and implementing successful working partnerships between participants in environment and natural resource management. The workshop(s) also aims to tap into the experiences of the participants, and to elicit the practical lessons of their successful AND unsuccessful partnership experiences. Case studies will be used extensively in this workshop.

Bio Jane Elix & Judy Lambert Since establishing Community Solutions in 1993, Jane Elix and Judy Lambert have directed their work to bringing people together to enhance social and environmental sustainability and to improve working relationships between people with diverse interests. Judy’s interest lies particularly in bringing together scientific and on-ground knowledge in both urban and rural areas, while Jane specialises in community engagement, consensus-building and conflict management.

Bio Michael Williams Michael Williams & Associates Pty Ltd is an natural resource management consultancy firm based in Sydney with 26 years experience in nrm strategy development and facilitation. Michael Williams is the principal and director of the firm. Mike has considerable knowledge and experience in facilitation within a conservation incentives strategic planning framework and works at all scales, in all Australian states and Territories.

Mike develops and delivers outcomes to help clients in understanding, managing and resolving the differing motivations and aspirations of key stakeholders involved in NRM issues. His skills in delivering positive outcomes across a wide range of environmental, social and political value systems are testimony to his innovative approach to strategic and community planning. Mike enjoys a team-based approach and revels in the development of innovative partnerships and alliances.

Michael is a member of the Board of the NSW Nature Conservation Trust.

The National Conservation Incentives Forum was developed as part of the Natural Heritage Trust National Project ‘Taking Advantage of Conservation Opportunities and Encouraging Philanthropy’.

national conservation incentives forum · location: eagle function centre time: 6.00 - 8.30pm...

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