Lachlan Aboriginal Natural Resource Management Group

The Lachlan CMA has an estimated Aboriginal population greater than ?, who own and manage a land area of approximately ?% of the Lachlan Catchment. The Lachlan Catchment encompasses 13 Local Aboriginal Land council regions and 8 different Aboriginal nations and through the Lachlan CMA community engagement strategy developed the Lachlan Regional Aboriginal Reference Group. The LRARG included representative from 14 communities throughout the Lachlan Catchment including Goulburn, Yass, Gunning, Young, Blayney, Cowra, Forbes, Parkes, Condobolin, Lake Cargelligo, Hillston, Hay, Ivanhoe Balranald and West Wyalong.

Representatives from these communities were then nominated to be executive members of the Lachlan Regional Aboriginal Reference Group. In 2007 through consultation with the Lachlan Aboriginal communities, LRARG and the Lachlan CMA Board a commitment was made to support the LRARG in becoming a corporation.

The Lachlan Aboriginal Natural Resource Management Group aims to create healthy and sustainable environments by identifying and supporting Aboriginalcommunities and their leaders by providing funding to communities, developing and having input into Government policies concerning Natural Resource Management. We will build healthier river systems and landscapes by engaging Aboriginal communities, in partnership with interested stakeholders, in the management of Aboriginal Cultural values in the Lachlan CMA area

The Lachlan Aboriginal Natural Resource Management Group will identify and provide funding and opportunities for training and employment by developing partnerships and accessing availablefunding to implement programs of NRM. We will foster equitable relationships in the wider community by promoting education on Aboriginal issues in Natural Resource Management.

The Lachlan Aboriginal Natural Resource Management Group was established by the Lachlan Regional Aboriginal Reference Group and Lachlan CMA to carry out a range of functions including:

Develop a framework for setting up partnership agreements between Aboriginal communities, and relevant stakeholders;

Create education, employment and training opportunities for Aboriginal communities and the wider community in Natural Resource Management (NRM);

Act as a mechanism to give advice and direction to CMA and otherstakeholders programs including funding and incentives programs

Promote awareness of and respect for Aboriginal cultural and heritage issues in NRM to Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities;

Represent the NRM needs of Aboriginal communities to the CMA and other stakeholders and back to communities;

Support and develop consistent policy and protocols for Aboriginal involvement in NRM in the Lachlan Catchment region and Catchment Action Plan.

The Lachlan Aboriginal Natural Resource Management Group will endeavour to identify opportunities, and source funding, to purchase land to enhance Aboriginal cultural heritage and engage in NRM activities to add value to the land prior to sale.

Carrying out or providing funding for catchment activities and projects;

Be recognised as a consultative body in relation to Aboriginal cultural and heritage issues and inter-departmental policies protocols and policy development, consistent with the Lachlan Action Plan and other stakeholder processes and procedures.

Lachlan Aboriginal Natural Resource Management Group will maintain a Board of up to ten members, including the chairperson, to be selected on a merit/skills basis.

Lachlan Aboriginal Natural Resource Management Group Board members are Chairperson - Ian Woods, Deputy Chair - Bill Hill, Secretary - Leeanne Hampton, Treasurer - Leonie O’Neill, Public Officer/Spokesperson - Bill Hill, Employment and Training Officer - Norma Freeman, Independent - Linton Howarth, Lachlan CMA Board Member - Mary Goodacre, Elders Representative - Aunty Beryl Smith, Board Member - Cherie Keed

There is a requirement under the Act (1984) for the Lachlan Aboriginal Natural Resource Management Group Board to collectively demonstrate a range of skills and knowledge in cultural heritage and across a number of natural resource management areas. The Lachlan Aboriginal Natural Resource Management Group seeks to engage with Aboriginal communities and stakeholders to provide cultural heritage input and to ensure Aboriginal cultural values and issues are included in all aspects of Natural Resource Management business.

Through Aboriginal community meetings, Lachlan CMA Board meetings and the LRARG meetings the unanimous decision has been reached that the most culturally appropriate method for empowering Aboriginal people within the Lachlan CMA region to participate in Natural Resource Management is to establish and support an independent Aboriginal Corporation. This allows for the various nations, clans, organisations and individuals in the region to access funding to undertake NRM activities to stimulate economic activity within Aboriginal and wider communities and to provide employment opportunities and build capacity within Aboriginal communities that create equitable partnerships with all relevant stakeholders.

Successful candidates appointed from their community, must be able to demonstrate Aboriginality, and will posses one or more of the following attributes and/or knowledge:

Additionally, candidates may indicate their expertise in one or more of the following fields:

The process for the appointment of the Board members will consider the following factors:

The Board will consist of nine (9) members who will form the Group board. The Board will include one (1) LCMA Board member and one (1) Aboriginal independent.

Any member missing three (3) consecutive meetings may have their position on board terminated. Board has discretion to terminate membership of board if Board members are in breach of code of conduct.

Board members must attend a minimum of 5 meetings per annum to fulfil their responsibility to the incorporated body. If the minimum meeting target is not met the Board has discretion to terminate membership of board.

Members meetings (4) will be held across catchment.

Board meetings (4) will be held across the catchment, with the capacity for extraordinary meetings as required.

Board has the authority to invite people to apply in the event of vacancy on the board and will interview to fill vacancy following advertising.

Board members are required to declare any potential conflicts of interest.

Attending all LANRMC meetings (and any other meeting deemed appropriate by the LANRMG Board members);

Informing the LCMA and other stakeholders about local and regional community natural resource management and cultural heritage issues which relate to the LANRMG area of interest;

Providing other groups within the LCMA region with accurate information on the LCMA, the LANRMG and natural resource management issues generally;

Contributing to the development of priorities for resource allocation;

Providing strategic advice at LANRMG meeting;

Participating in /Managing the implementation of activities which lead to improved natural resources management with the LCMA area;

Leading by example in their use and management of natural resources;

Working in the interests of the whole catchment rather than for a specific organisation or individual/personal interest or gain.

Members may be provided with information from sources in both the LCMA and Aboriginal communities that is of a confidential or culturally sensitive nature, eg. sacred sites, verbal reports and draft documents. This information is not for general circulation in the broader community and members must be prepared to maintain this confidentiality until the LANRMG and the LCMA approves the release of material for community information and/or comment.

Any information provided by LANRMG members pertaining to Aboriginal cultural knowledge should be considered intellectual property and, as such, the appropriate copyright acknowledgment should be applied to these instances.

Membership of the LANRMG will be on a voluntary basis – sitting fees will not be paid. LANRMC will assist members to meet reasonable travel, meals and accommodation cost to attend meetings.

Removal of any board member may occur if member has breached the LANRMG code of conduct. The final decision will remain in the hand of the LANRMC board meeting.

Financial savings made by LANRMG members not obtaining sitting fees will be directed into the LCMA-LRARG Aboriginal Scholarship Program. This project will continue but will now be recognised as the LANRMG-LCMA Aboriginal Scholarship Program and will be held annually with a $5000.00 payment and 4 weeks employment with the Lachlan CMA.

The LANRMG will operate in a proactive and culturally appropriate manner by providing funding opportunities to Aboriginal communities and other land managers, information and recommendations to the LCMA board and other stakeholders. Whilst LANRMG does not have a role in LCMA operational issues, the LCMA will remain a major supporter financially and in a mentoring capacity. The LCMA will provide executive support primarily provided by the Catchment Officer Aboriginal Communities and other LCMA staff specialist support as required.

Any perceived conflict of interest must be brought to notice and reported to all other board members at the earliest available opportunity. Failure to disclose potential conflict of interest may result in removal from the board.

Members are to be delegated by their relevant Aboriginal community and are only able to move motions and/or vote if they are of Aboriginal descent. If attending members are of non Aboriginal descent they are able to attend but cannot move motions and/or be able to vote.

Community Members are expected to attend and contribute to LANRMG meetings. From time to time, the LANRMG may establish working/task groups to deal with specific issues or responsibilities.

Four (4) community members meeting will be held on a quarterly basis (every 3 months) at various locations throughout the LCMA geographic area.

Membership of the LANRMC will be on a voluntary basis – sitting fees will not be paid. LANRMG will assist members to meet reasonable travel, meals and accommodation cost to attend meetings.

Removal of any community member may occur if member has breached the LANRMG code of conduct. The final decision will remain in the hand of the LANRMG board meeting.

All decisions made by the LANRMG are to be decided through a motion process, with all board members delegated one (1) vote each.

If a member is unavailable to attend meeting all efforts are made to contact him/her prior to voting via telephone to get his/her choice or selection. If unable to reach member a final decision will be resolved on the day of the meeting.

The LANRMC finances will be managed by an appropriately qualified bookkeeper selected by the LANRMG board.

Financial delegation will be mandatory for LCMA Catchment Officer Aboriginal Communities. Others with delegation include the Bookkeeper, and the LANRMG Treasurer. Two signatories are required on all cheques.

The LANRMG will apply for all appropriate natural resource management funding to assist the engagement of Aboriginal communities in NRM activities.

The LANRMC will utilise available funds for continuation of the former LRARG scholarship programme.

The LANRMG will act as an auspicing body for Aboriginal communities if required.

The LANRMG undertakes to meet all costs associated with their activities within seven (7) Days or pay on receipt of invoice.

Any issues arising between board members should be brought to the attention of both the LANRMG co-ordinator and the Chairperson. If one of the board members involved in the issue is the Chairperson then the chain of command process should be followed.

All issues should be resolved in house at a board level. In the event that the issue can not be resolved at the board level, a mediator will be employed to liaise with members to resolve the issue.

Any issues arising between the community and a LANRMG board member should be brought to the attention of both the LANRMG co-ordinator and the Chairperson. If one of the board members involved, is the Chairperson then the chain of command process should be followed.
All issues should be resolved in house at a board level. In the event that the issue can not be resolve at the board level, a mediator will be employed to liaise with members to resolve the issue.

At no time will the LANRMG Board respond to any negative media article without the full consent of the Lachlan CMA board.

The Lachlan catchment region has an estimated population greater than 100 000 people, producing 14% of NSW agricultural production from a land area of approximately 10% of NSW. It is unique in the Murray Darling Basin as the Lachlan River terminates in wetlands and effluent creeks in the lower part of the catchment. Occasionally the Lachlan flows into the Murrumbidgee during significant flood events.
Lake Cowal, the Booligal wetlands and the Great Cumbung Swamp are just some of the natural features that have been identified as being national importance. These unique features increase the importance of natural resource management, with any activities carried out in the catchment having the potential to impact on valuable assets with the catchment.

The LANRMG will access progress on the catchment Aboriginal Cultural Heritage and Natural Resource Management targets and welcome contributions from the catchment Aboriginal and wider community’s members.

The LANRMG is currently developing a LANRMG Monitoring and Evaluation Plan using currently available government draft framework. This will identify, monitor, report, evaluate and review procedures and responsibilities for all business, strategic and operational activities within the LANRMG.
The Key outcome of these activities is to promote, support and adapt traditional cultural practices and current land management improvements.

The LANRMG will develop and promote training packages for Aboriginal Cultural Heritage programs. These packages will include Aboriginal Cultural Awareness, Aboriginal Site Recognition and Aboriginal Land & Vegetation Management training.

Course packages including cost, delivery mode etc will be developed by LANRMG board.

Lachlan CMA, Forbes NSW 2871
Hill. Russell, Forbes NSW 2871
Department of Environment and Climate Change, Bathurst NSW 2795
Howarth. Linton, Bathurst NSW 2795
Woods. Ian, Hay NSW 2711
Freeman. Norma, Young NSW 2594
O’Neill. Leonie, Lake Cargelligo NSW 2672
Keed. Cherie, Peak Hill NSW 2869
Turner. Leeanne, West Wyalong NSW 2671
Smith. Beryl, Cowra NSW 2794
Hill. William, Forbes NSW 2871
ORATSIC, Canberra ACT
Department of Fair Trading, Sydney NSW 2000