About the Upper Gwydir Landcare Association

The Upper Gwydir Landcare Association is a Landcare umbrella network. It was established when GWYMAC, the Gwydir Macintyre Resource Management Committee became too large. In 1998, with the help of then GWYMAC Coordinator Dick Walker, the majority of the GWYMAC Landcare Groups in the Gwydir Catchment branched off to form the UGLA. The first UGLA coordinator, Susie Skinner, was employed part-time in April 2000 when NHT funding was received for the position. Now in 2007 Rachel Gleeson takes on the role as L&CSO!

In November 2002 the UGLA joined with then Bingara Shire Council to employ Brent Wellham in a job share position. Brent was the Environmental Officer at the Council and the Coordinator for the UGLA. The Border Rivers Gwydir Catchment Management Authority (CMA) funded the position full time as a Landcare & Community Support Officer in November 2005, a position which Jessica Harrison fills.

The UGLA is incorporated and is managed by a committee from represented groups. The Coordinator is under the direction of a Steering Committee, which consists of two local Landcare members, a representative from the Gwydir Shire Council and two CMA representatives.

In the past there has been up to 12 active Landcare groups in the Association. In 2006 there are 7 active groups and a number of individual Family partnerships.

Functions
The UGLA and its coordinator assist Landcare groups, schools, community groups and individuals to source information and technical advice, run activities and apply for funding for projects relating to Natural Resource Management. The UGLA also liaises with the Border/Gwydir Catchment Management Authority, North West Weeds and Government Departments (DPI and DNR) about issues relating to the Mid-Gwydir Region.

Activities
The Upper Gwydir Landcare Groups have undertaken a number of Natural Resource Management Projects. These have been funded by various funding bodies such as the Natural Heritage Trust, the National Landcare Program, the CMA and many others.

Projects undertaken include Rivercare works along Gwydir River, Horton River, Rocky Creek, Boomi Creek and Warialda Creek, salinity surveying, property planning, pasture trials, native vegetation enhancement and establishment and education programs. One of our member’s properties is the site of the Super Solutions Project in the Gwydir - a full farm planning and implementation project including the planting of 30 000 trees, fencing, erosion control works and salinity surveying and monitoring.

The UGLA received funding in the 2002 round of NHT to undertake riparian regeneration works along the Gwydir River in Bingara. The works were undertaken in conjunction with the former Bingara Shire Council and the former North West Weeds County Council and began in early March 2003.

In early 2006, the UGLA have received funding from the National Landcare Program to run 30 Landscan courses and pasture trials and the Border Rivers Gwydir CMA has funded the UGLA to develop and maintain a website.

The UGLA, in conjunction with several other organisations, has run many field days over the years including Cypress Pine Management, Salinity and Catchment Health, Weeds Discovery Tour, Tree Propagation and Planting, pasture establishment and management, the Halls Creek Carp Muster and hosted the Landcare Adventure in 2003.

Links with other organisations
The UGLA has formed strong links with SGS (Sustainable Grazing Systems), the North West Weeds, Northern Slopes RLPB, Willoughby City Council, Gwydir Shire Council, the Department of Natural Resources, Border Rivers/Gwydir CMA and the Department of Primary Industries which enables us to run joint projects and activities. We are currently developing links with the local schools, Lions club, Anglers club and Bingara Vision 2020 to undertake activities around the Bingara Township.

The Future of the UGLA
Members of the UGLA realise that belonging to a group assists them to strategically manage their natural resources at a local level, in order to help them achieve sustainability at a catchment level.

UGLA members are observing that the distribution of funding for projects is changing and realise that to continue to play a role in the protection and enhancement of natural resources, it will be important to liaise with the Catchment Management Authority.
The CMA will have a vital role in prioritising, planning, developing and overseeing the projects that will achieve the catchment’s objectives in the Upper to Mid Gwydir.

The UGLA welcomes any interested organisations, groups or individuals.