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The Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority (CMA) is responsible for the planning and implementation of strategies to protect and enhance the health of the region’s biodiversity, soils and land.
The Advisory Groups of the CMA are one of the vehicles by which the CMA can engage the community and its major partners in the development and adaptive management of the Regional Catchment Strategy, sub strategies and action plans.
They assist by providing advice to Board and senior management of the CMA. Members of the Advisory Groups communicate with and access people in the community with an interest in specific resource management matters, they may have particular expertise in some aspects of the CMA’s strategies, or may be involved in activities relevant to implementation of strategies and plans.
Their membership and method of operation are designed to contribute this knowledge and expertise to the CMA’s strategic program. The advisory group will provide advice on and be kept informed of strategic direction; monitoring and reporting of achievements; and review direction in an adaptive management cycle in their area and cooperate with the River and Wetland Health Advisory Group where issues integrate and overlap.
ROLE
The Advisory Group is to provide advice to CMA management and Board on the following:
• Development of relevant strategies and plans and the regional principles for biodiversity and land health management within the region;
• Adaptive management of relevant plans and strategies through the planning, monitoring and review cycle;
• Emerging community engagement issues arising from, or associated with implementation of strategies and plans;
• Issues and threats that have an impact on achieving the vision of the regional biodiversity, soils and land assets management. It should be noted that for some particular issues (because of the nature of linkages, interactions and interdependencies across the various components of catchment management), contributions will also be sought from the other Advisory Group.;
• Any other issue or topic on which the Board or CEO requests specific advice; and
• The range of views in the community on any of the above matters.
The Advisory Group may hold public meetings and forums to gauge the range of community views on specific matters raised by the Board or management. While the Advisory Group will not represent the CMA or act on its behalf at such meetings and forums, it will have the role of conveying and receiving information about the CMA.
Advisory Group Membership
Biodiversity and Land Health Advisory Group
Rod Marshall – Chair
Farmer
Pomonal
Previous member of Community Engagement Advisory Group
Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Education
Apex for 14 years,
Shire Councillor (Ararat Rural City) with sustainability portfolio
Member of Ararat Greenhouse Action Group
Has a long standing interest in environmental matters and the effects of climate change on these.
A semi-retired farmer keen to make a contribution to environmental management in the context of major problems facing the catchment.
Michael Waite
Dairy Farmer
Ecklin South – Terang
Previous member of the CMA Land and Biodiversity Advisory Group
Winner of the Dairy for tomorrow NRM award 2009
Finalist in Landcare Awards
Has completed a lot of NRM work on farm. Conducts field days on farm to encourage lanholders to be pro-active in managing farm for NRM and productivity benefits.
Prof Martin Westbrooke
Retired as Professor of Environmental Science, University of Ballarat
Buninyong
Previous member of the Biodiversity Advisory Group.
Still active in conservation and environmental research activities and holding honorary title of Emeritus Prof. 40 years of environmental teaching, research and consultancy while based at Longerenong agricultural College Horsham and University of Ballarat. Committed to environmental improvement and has passed tis ethic on to two generations of students. Has worked and studies extensively in major reserves within the catchment including Grampians, Lower Glenelg NP, numerous small reserves and forest areas as well as being involved with private land through involvement with numerous Landcare Groups.
Don Rowe
Landholder
Maroona
Previous member of the Biodiversity Advisory Group
Farmer, Farm worker and part time winemaker. Bach. Agric. Sci. Diploma Education. Cert 3 in Viticulture. President Upper Hopkins Landcare Group. Member – Ararat Sustainability Advisory Group. Recently a facilitator for EBMP. Has implemented many “land health” practices on his own property at Maroona. Most recently trialling biological farming methods and one aiming for zero carbon footprint. Previous president of Landcare group for many years.
Robin Jackson
Landholder
Glenthompson
Previous member of the Land Health Advisory Group.
Landholder – farmer, sheep, cattle, cropping.
Member of Glenthompson Bestwool 2010, VFF and DC, Glenelg Farm Trees, Member of the Neverite Landcare Group. Resident in Glenthompson –Dunkeld for over 40 years. Has three covenanted areas on farm plus 200 ha shallow wetland area. Has observed tree decline and salinity. Concerned about the drainage of wetlands and destruction of grasslands especially with current expansion of cropping.
Kaye Scholfield
Glenthompson
Manager Partnerships and Projects RMIT University, Hamilton
Previous member of CMA Community Engagement Advisory Group
Partner in family farm enterprise
C.O.M SGS LLEN, C.O.M Standing Tall mentor program; COM WDHS community Advisory Group, Chair Southern Grampians Youth Network
Practical farm experience including developing whole farm plan, revegetation etc. Professional role in developing/brokering research or issues relating to agricultural and NRM management and sustainability.
Michael McCarthy
Director Shire Futures – Southern Grampians Shire
Masters, Social Science, Environmental Planning including a Unit on catchment management planning. Integration of sustainability policies into planning and governance systems at the international, national and regional levels.Chair Moorabool Shire Landcare Advisory Committee. Established Moorabool Shire Tourism Advisory Committee. 25 year member LTu Wildlife Reserves Friends group.
Amateur bird watcher and strong interest in applying planning systems at a bioregional scale.
Wetland and River Health Advisory Group
Mick Leeming - Chair
Landholder
Pigeon Ponds
Member of Culla Pigeon Ponds Landcare Group, Farm 500, Friends of Peter Francis Points Arboretum, Grampians Wimmera-Mallee recreational users group.
Served on Southern Grampians Shire Council for 9 years.
Has fenced off all creeks on own land. Has seen first hand the affects of salinity and soil erosion.
Was on the original steering committee that pushed for and were successful in securing the feasibility of piping the Wimmera-Mallee Stock and Domestic supply. Advisory Group member for “Tools for Sustainability” project
Michelle Casanova
Landholder near Westmere, Botanist, consultant (wetlands and algae), BSc (Hons), PdD
Previous member of the River Health Advisory Group.
Landholder in the Hopkins River catchment near the Fiery Creek and Lake Bolac. Has several wetlands on farm. Would like to see the regions resources managed in a sustainable way for future generations. Entire working life has been involved with wetlands, riparian and river health issues and algal biodiversity documentation. Also works as a Botanist at the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Brian Murrelll
Shoe Retail Store Manager
Casterton
Involved in numerous community groups – Vice President Friends of the Glenelg River, Secretary of Casterton Business and Tourism. Secretary of Casterton Angling Society. Born in Casterton, Brian has been associated with the Glenelg River Catchment as a fisherman and hunter for most of his life. Has observed many changes in this time with de-snagging, re-snagging and sand extraction.
Jan Barton
Ecologist
Toolong
Aquatic Ecologist and Natural Resource Management – Research Fellow at Deakin University.
BSC Marine Biology and Zoology – James Cook Uni, BSC hon Zoology – University of Tasmania. PHD Estuarine Indicators. Member of Friends of Ralph Illage and Pallisters Reserves. Secretary Port Fairy Yacht Club. 20 years of professional experience in waterway health and management driven by a personal commitment to improved natural resource management that promotes improved catchment health.
Ian Fitzgibbon
Environmental Planner Warrnambool City Council
Bachelor of Environmental Science – Deakin University
Member Warrnambool Coastcare and Landcare Group
Member Warrnambool Environmental Action Group
Sound knowledge of catchment health issues in the Glenelg Hopkins catchment through work as an environmental officer at Warrnambool City for the past 3 years and through study at Deakin University. Involvement with Councils and the community’s environmental program have strongly aligned and focused on improving the catchment health of the Hopkins Catchment in particular.
Rod Bird
Retired Scientist
Hamilton
A research scientist with DPI for 35 years. Worked with farmers/landcare groups engaged in salinity, shelter, revegetation and farm forestry over much of the Glenelg Hopkins area. Also has a background in farming and agricultural research (sheep, cattle, pastures) and a good understanding of agricultural industries and problems. In June 209 was awarded an OAM for “services to the environment through farm forestry and revegetation programs”. Member of the SGS Sustainability Strategy Steering Group, Natural Assets Alliance, Hamilton – Colerain Rail Reserve Committee. Member of the Hamilton Field Naturalists Club, Member of Birds Australia and of Australian Conservation Foundation.
Don McTaggart
Chef
Warrnambool
Group Leader Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Group
Committee member Merri Wetland Protection Group, Basalt to Bay Landcare Network.
Steering Committee member – Middle Island Maremma Dog Project, Environmental Weeds of Warrnambool, Environmental Volunteering in SW Victoria. Member of Friends of Merri Marine Sanctuary, Warrnambool Community Gardens, Society for Growing Australian Plants; Smart Living expo and SWIFFT.
For past 6 years, has been the Group Leader of the Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Group and previous to that the leader of a Coastcare group in north QLD. A passion for the coastal environment and waterways has given Don a good knowledge and awareness of current issues and policies that have been implemented into the region.