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NRM (natural resource management) resources
Regional Knowledge Resource Kit (RKRK)
Developed in 2007-8, the Regional Knowledge Resource Kit (RKRK) is an interactive online resource for learning and developing skills in managing information and knowledge for regional NRM (natural resource management). The RKRK includes a stage-by-stage guide to developing a Regional Knowledge Strategy and a comprehensive resource library covering a wide range of information and knowledge management topics.
The Regional Knowledge Resource Kit was developed through the 'Better practice in knowledge management' component of the Land & Water Australia Knowledge for Regional NRM program. The program won a Platinum Award in the actKM Forum 2008 Knowledge Management Awards.
Shoalhaven Environmental Flows
In response to the New South Wales (NSW) Government Metropolitan Water Plan the NSW Department of Natural Resources coordinated the development of new environmental flow rules for the Shoalhaven River downstream of Tallowa Dam. The approach taken to determine the environmental flow requirements for the Shoalhaven River downstream of Tallowa Dam involved assessing the water needs of the river’s complete ecosystem, including its main river channel, river banks, estuary and important ecological features, such as rare and endangered species.
Land Use Planning Handbook for the Lockyer Catchment
The Land Use Planning Handbook for the Lockyer Catchment describes the 'land systems' planning approach used in NRM planning in the Lockyer Catchment of South East Queensland. The Lockyer Catchment was divided into six land systems, each representing a group of areas with a distinct characteristic pattern of landform, soils and vegetation. For each land system, recommendations were made about sustainable land uses and land management practices to be encouraged, and also undesirable uses and practices to be discouraged. These recommendations have been reflected in local government Planning Schemes, resulting in the promotion of sustainable land use and the improved conservation of native vegetation and other natural resources. The Land Use Planning Handbook also informed the preparation of a Technical Note for use in property management planning processes (see below).
Sustainable Management of the Helidon Hills
From its inception, the Sustainable Management of the Helidon Hills project sought to be different. The Helidon Hills represents a microcosm of the issues currently facing NRM planners all over Australia and internationally. These relate to the management of change across a broad front including industry development, conservation, natural resource management, community access to resources, cultural heritage, infrastructure development and tourism potential. The impact of any of these changes in the Helidon Hills area had the potential to significantly disrupt the rich heritage that is woven into the fabric of community and family life in the area, not to mention the threat to livelihood.
The preferred management approach was to develop a cooperative and coordinated strategy involving all affected stakeholders including landholders, industries, Local, State and Commonwealth Governments, and other interest groups. This management approach represents a different challenge for governments. The implementation of strategies identified in the project are largely the responsibility of the community, especially landholders and community groups. It was recognised that achieving these outcomes requires a different approach to traditional land use planning. The challenge was to develop a methodology that found common ground between a wider community desire for environmental and cultural heritage preservation on the one hand and the aspirations of the local community, particularly landholders, on the other. The 'win-win' approach adopted included involving landholders and the community from day one and researching and developing innovative win-win solutions to complex and competing issues.
Living in the Lockyer Property Management Planning Kit
The Living in the Lockyer Property Management Planning Kit was prepared as an accompanying resource to the guidebook Living in the Lockyer - A Landholders Guide to Land, Water, Wildlife and Vegetation Management in the Lockyer Catchment and Surrounds. The Property Management Planning Kit was designed as a resource for landholders who were not rural producers, for example hobby farmers, rural residential landholders or landholders who owned bush blocks. The existing Queensland Government 'Futureprofit' program was already available for rural producers, but there had been no complementary program for other landholders. While designed for use with the Living in the Lockyer guidebook, the Property Management Planning Kit has also be used with other similar resources in other areas.
A Property Management Planning (PMP) Technical Note was prepared from the Land Use Planning Handbook for the Lockyer Catchment (see above) for use with both the 'Futureprofit' program and the Living in the Lockyer Property Management Planning Kit.
Holistic Natural Resource Management of Crows Nest Shire
The 'Holistic Natural Resource Management of Crows Nest Shire Project', later renamed 'Crows Nest Shire Project Green Nest', saw Queensland's Crows Nest Shire become one of the first rural local governments In Australia to implement an incentive-based NRM program that included an environmental levy and rate rebates for native vegetation conservation agreements. Project Green Nest has been acclaimed for its innovative strategies and the way in which it engaged the community, receiving a Commendation Award in the 'Environment - Natural Resource Management: Partnerships for Biodiversity Conservation' category in the 2002 National Awards for Local Government, and the Landcare Australia Local Government Award in the 2003 Queensland Landcare Awards. Crows Nest Shire has since been amalgamated into the new Toowoomba Regional Council.
The leading work of Rick Galbraith and Nigel Kimball underpinned the success of Project Green Nest. Rick Galbraith had a long association with Crows Nest Shire, including many years working as an environmental officer for Council. He was instrumental in the development of the conservation strategies implemented through Project Green Nest, as discussed in the Remnant Vegetation Corridor Management Strategy. Nigel Kimball worked on Project Green Nest while studying at The University of Queensland, and explored the critical role of human values and attitudes in NRM through the preparation of Striking That Happy Medium, Community Attitudes to Natural Resource Management in Crows Nest Shire, Qld. Nigel has since established Yarramine Consulting, a professional services provider assisting clients from the agribusiness, landcare and non-government, small business, corporate and government sectors to achieve their goals and overcome their problems in the environmental and natural resource management fields.
The Remnant Vegetation Corridor Management Strategy was informed by the Gatton Shire Biodiversity Strategy (see biodiversity resources page) and Striking That Happy Medium, Community Attitudes to Natural Resource Management in Crows Nest Shire, Qld was informed by the Gatton Shire Biodiversity Strategy (see biodiversity resources page) and the Sustainable Management of the Helidon Hills Project (see above).
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