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About Bellinger Landcare

Bellinger Landcare Incorporated is a community-based not-for-profit organisation supporting community initiatives and involvement in natural resource management in Bellingen Shire and beyond.

Organisation Profile | Structure | Goals | Funding | Management

Organisation Profile

Bellinger Landcare is an incorporated, not for profit association which acts as an umbrella organisation for landcare in Bellingen Shire and beyond.

The organisation:

• Represents landcarers in the Bellinger – Dorrigo region,
• Advises on processes, organisation and legal matters in environmental restoration,
• Liaises between landcarers, government and technical experts,
• Manages on-ground projects,
• Facilitates environmental conservation works and projects
• Undertakes school and adult education in environmental issues and best practice management,
• Assists landholders to secure funding for on-ground environmental works
• Promotes landcare achievements
• Raises awareness in the community on environmental issues and sustainable agriculture

Structure

The organisation membership is made up of landcare groups and individual landcarers. Management of the organisation is through a committee of seven elected volunteer members. The management committee meets bi-monthly, the finances of the organisation and all projects are formally reviewed regularly and the accounts are audited annually.

Bellinger Landcare Inc contracts to the Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority to deliver community support for Landcare and other aspects of natural resource management. The organisation currently employs a part time coordinator Colin Matthews who is based in a resource centre in Bellingen. Other staff memebers are employed to manage projects when funding is available.

Members of Landcare groups are volunteers whose activity occurs on private and public lands. Environmental issues addressed by member groups include the restoration of dune environments, rainforest restoration, farm planning, revegetation of riparian areas on farms with improved management of livestock, river restoration works, erosion control works, feral animal control programs, farm forestry activities, bush food plantations, wildlife surveys, control of environmental weeds and environmental monitoring. These activities change from time to time.

Working in groups makes Landcare an efficient and effective network. The network structure acknowledges that environmental problems don’t stop at the farm fence or gate and that sharing of resources and information maximises outcomes.

Goals

Bellinger Landcare Inc promotes practical environmental care in the Bellinger area by supporting and representing member groups and individuals. The organisation aims to raise the awareness and to increase the understanding in the local community of natural resource degradation issues and the need to adopt more sustainable natural resource management practices.

Funding

The organisation is funded by the Australian Government Caring for our Country Program through the Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority. The organisation contracts directly to the Catchment Management Authority for its primary activity of supporting the community in natural resource management as well as for projects under the National Landcare Program. More about funding >>

Management Committee

The management committee, elected at the annual general meeting in November 2008 is:

• Phil Vockler (Kalang Progress Association)
• Phil Parbery (Dorrigo Steering Group)
• Julie Woodroffe (Never Never Catchment Group)
• Judy Cooney (Hungry Head Dunecare Group) – Secretary
• Kerry Child (Hydes Creek Landcare)
• Martin Riddell (Brierfield RivercareGroup) – Treasurer
• Ross Macleay (Bellingen Island Landcare) – Chair
• Peter Rundle (Bellingen Urban Landcare)

Disclaimer

This website contains documents, links and information that is available from the office of Bellinger Landcare Incorporated. This information has been collected from a number of different sources over time and is not necessarily comprehensive.

Best Management Practices are subject to changes and improvement and Bellinger Landcare Inc will update this information as new knowledge becomes available and we leave it to the landholder to decide which method or technique is most appropriate for the particular situation.

Success or otherwise is dependent on many factors, including the operator and the local conditions and Bellinger Landcare offers this information in good faith.