directions MAKE A COMMENT

natural resource management arrangements in the region

As discussed in Purpose of the Regional Catchment Strategy, the RCS enables integration of all levels of planning for natural resource management in the Corangamite Region. Because of the range of organisations involved, natural resource management can become institutionally complex. This chapter outlines the role of various organisations and groups that will be involved in the implementation of the RCS and its Supporting Strategies.

The RCS highlights the need for these key organisations to continue to build on their partnerships in the delivery of natural resource management programs.

12.1 victorian government organisations

Key agencies of the Victorian Government that undertake important natural resource management functions are:

12.1.1 corangamite catchment management authority

The Corangamite CMA, established on 1 July 1997 with the aim of creating a whole of catchment approach to natural resource management, encompasses the roles of the former Corangamite Catchment and Land Protection Board and community based advisory groups such as the Corangamite Salinity Plan Implementation Group. It is a statutory authority with a Board of community members appointed by the Minister for the Environment.

The primary goal of each CMA is to ensure the protection and restoration of land and water resources, the sustainable development of natural resources-based industries and the conservation of our natural and cultural heritage.

Specifically, the CMA framework for catchment management has been designed to achieve:

Community involvement and commitment to natural resource management
Maintenance and improvement in the quality of water and condition of rivers
Prevention and reversal of land degradation
Conservation and protection of the diversity and extent of natural ecosystems
Minimisation of damage of public and private assets from flooding and erosion, and
Minimisation of the economic and environmental impacts of pest plants and animals.

The six principles that govern the way catchment management is implemented throughout the State are:

Community empowerment
Integrated management
Targeted investment
Accountability
Administrative efficiency, and
Ecologically sustainable development

The CCMA is responsible for developing the Regional Catchment Strategy and other Regional plans. In addition, the CCMA:

provides advice to the State on natural resource management policy
negotiates DSE’s program for the Region
administers the development and implementation of the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality, and the Natural Heritage Trust 2 within the Region
establishes, funds and coordinates committees for RCS implementation
promotes community involvement and builds capacity for community action
monitors and evaluates catchment condition
facilitates knowledge sharing
provides licensing, planning and management services for land, waterways, floodplains, and drainage
liaises with coastal planning management agencies on interaction between catchment and coastal issues
provides regional leadership and coordination, and
sets regional priorities

12.1.2 department of sustainability and environment (DSE)

The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) is the principal NRM department, responsible for administration and management of Victoria’s natural resources and public lands. The department aims to deliver the State Government’s vision of positioning Victoria as a world leader in sustainability, and delivers programs for Crown land, coasts, biodiversity, forest management, public land fire prevention and suppression and oversight of local government planning schemes. It also incorporates the planning functions of the former Department of Infrastructure.

DSE programs are delivered in the field through either the DSE Regional Services Division, or through the Department’s environmental research institutes.

Catchment management and water resources management programs are also administered by DSE. The Catchment and Agricultural Services (CAS) Division of the Department of Primary Industries provides service delivery for these programs.

12.1.3 department of primary industries (DPI)

The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) delivers research and extension programs in sustainable agriculture and land management (notably nutrients, salinity and pest plants and animals); support for catchment management strategy development and processes; technical advice regarding RCS implementation on private land; coordination of DPI statutory planning referrals; and reporting on Regional Management Plan implementation to the CCMA and DSE.

12.1.4 parks victoria

Parks Victoria is responsible for the management of environment and recreational services in the Region’s parks and reserves network, and for Ramsar wetlands (Management of Victoria’s Ramsar Wetlands: Draft Strategic Directions Statement: Parks Victoria NRE National Wetlands Program, 2001).

12.1.5 regional coastal boards

In Victoria, the Victorian Coastal Council and Regional Coastal Boards are responsible for the coordination of coastal strategy development and implementation. The Western Coastal Board, Central Coastal Board and the Victorian Coastal Council all provide advice on coastal issues and action plans. Refer to Chapter 11, Section 3, Coastal planning, which details the structure of coastal planning in the Corangamite Region.

12.1.6 water authorities

Water planning is effected through bulk water allocations and licensing processes administered by Southern Rural Water under the Water Act, 1989.

Three large water utilities, namely Central Highlands Water, South West Water and Barwon Water, are involved in water resource management through Bulk Water Entitlements, planning and implementation of water supply augmentations, wastewater services and water demand management.

12.1.7 environment protection authority (EPA)

The Environment Protection Authority’s (EPA) primary role is to protect air, water and land from pollution, control industrial noise and minimise waste generation. The Environment Protection Act (1970) provides a range of tools to accomplish this including development and enforcement of statutory policies (SEPPs) which set standards for environmental quality in Victoria, licensing of significant discharges to the environment, enforcement tools, and partnerships tools. Monitoring and research work support these activities.

12.1.8 aboriginal affairs victoria (AAV)

Aboriginal Affairs Victoria is the Victorian’s Government’s central point of policy advice on cultural and other indigenous issues in Victoria. AAV is a division of the Department of Victorian Communities. The Heritage Services Branch, a branch within AAV, is responsible for policies and programs relating to the management of Victoria’s significant Aboriginal cultural heritage. The Branch also has a lead role in administering Victorian and delegated Australian Aboriginal cultural heritage legislation. One of the key roles of the Heritage Services Branch is to work closely with Aboriginal communities, other National and State government agencies, local government and the private sector to promote considerations of Aboriginal cultural heritage in the context of relevant policy initiatives and programs, especially those relating to land management.

12.1.9 other state government organisations

VicRoads is a major player in natural resource management through weed control and roadside vegetation strategies.

The Country Fire Authority also has a role in natural resource management through its fire management responsibilities.

As opportunities arise the support of other agencies not listed will be sought to deal with specific issues.

12.2 local government

The municipalities of the Region own and manage a considerable area of public land and play a crucial role in land use planning and development, regulation, State of the Environment reporting and community support. The principal instrument for building natural resource management policy into local plans is the Municipal Strategic Statement (MSS) and municipal stormwater management plans.

The main mechanism for approving land use change and regulating land management practices is approval under local Planning Schemes. The Planning Schemes set mandatory guidelines for land use and management throughout the particular municipality. The Planning Schemes are a potentially potent instrument for environmental management and protection through the use of protective overlays. Whether the instrument is used depends on the will of the particular democratically elected Council. There is considerable variation in the extent to which environmental objectives are written into Planning Schemes across the Corangamite Region.

There are also a large number of Local Area Plans, which are discussed in RCS Report 5. These notably include, but are not limited to the Ballarat LINCS Strategy, the Greater Geelong Biodiversity Strategy, and local coastal plans including Swan Bay, Great Ocean Road, Otways Parks, Port Campbell, Shipwreck Coast and the Colac/ Otway Strategy.

Other responsibilities of Local Government that are relevant to the RCS include waste management; stormwater management; management of public lands, including some road reserves; administering Native Vegetation Retention Controls in consultation with DSE; applying the Code of Forest Practice for timber production on private land; and preparing Natural Resources Conservation Strategies and State of the Environment Reports. Municipalities may also provide incentives for appropriate land management practices, facilitate community activities, and undertake community education programs.

12.3 community and non-government organisations

There is an extensive network of community groups and non-government organisations with an interest in developing and implementing local plans for environmental protection and rehabilitation. In the Corangamite Region these include local indigenous communities and a range of community interest groups, which have the capacity to deliver significant improvements to asset condition, as well as enriching the social capital within their local communities.

12.3.1 indigenous communities

Indigenous communities, as traditional owners, play a vital role in natural resource management in the Region. A combination of effective consultation, community awareness and opportunities for partnerships will ensure that the cultural values of indigenous communities in land management are respected. Indigenous land management interests, priorities and concerns need to be addressed at all levels of government and need to be integrated into emerging natural resource management strategies.

12.3.2 community interest groups

These include:

community environmental groups (Landcare, Bushcare, “Friends of ….”, Waterwatch, Committees of Management for public land reserves, Coast Action/ Coastcare, Fishcare)
recreational groups (angling, boating, Scouts etc.)
plant nurseries supplying indigenous species
community associations (e.g. Rotary, Lions, Area associations)
educational institutions
industry groups, includes Southern Farming Systems, Westvic Dairy, and
non-government organisations such as Greening Australia, Trust for Nature, Victorian Farmers Federation, Seafood Industries Victoria, VRFish, Conservation Volunteers Australia and several industry groups that are committed to a community environmental role

In 2002, 116 Landcare and other (e.g. “Friends of”, Coast Action/ Coastcare, various environmental) natural resource management community groups were active in land and coastal management over 70% of the Corangamite Region. Total membership of the active groups was approximately 2,100. Some of these groups form active networks that collaboratively access funding. As a social movement members participate in decision making for NRM at local and catchment scale, promote sustainable land management practices through education, training and capacity building, and implement both small and large scale on ground projects to improve asset condition.