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2. Community

People and Community

The Central West CMA's People and Community CAP targets are all about increasing people's awareness, participation and practical knowledge of natural resource management on their properties, in the catchment and in their communities and homes. This can be achieved through consultation with the community on important natural resource management issues, education opportunities such as workshops and training days, support to groups and individuals under taking natural resource management activities and general communication with the wider community on natural resource management issues.

Bathurst winners of the community and schools categories for the 2007 Champions of the Catchment Awards.

 

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Catchment and Management Target Overview till 2016:

Catchment Target (CTPC1):

• By 2016, increase the level of awareness and understanding of Natural Resource Management (NRM) within the catchment.

Management Target (MTPC1):

• By 2016, have in place NRM education programs for schools, community and land managers.

 

Catchment Target (CTPC2):

• By 2016, increase the capacity of the community to participate in programs leading to improved natural resource management

Management Target (MTPC2):

• By 2016, increase in the participation of land managers involved in regional planning process and the practical application of NRM strategies.

 

Catchment Target (CTPC3):

• By 2016, increase the level of engagement between the non-Aboriginal community with the Aboriginal community in Natural Resource Management

Management Target (MTPC3):

• By 2016, implement 3 programs to increase knowledge and understanding of the wider community of Aboriginal culture and cultural projects.

 

Catchment Target (CTPC4):

• By 2016, increase Aboriginal community engagement in Natural Resource Management.

Management Target (MTPC4):

• By 2016, increase in the number of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people involved in indigenous NRM projects.

 

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Targets in Detail:

The People and Community targets meet the following Natural Resources Commission's Statewide Targets as referenced in the Catchment Action Plan:

• Community Targets - 12, 13, 14.

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Catchment Target (CTPC1):

• By 2016, increase the level of awareness and understanding of Natural Resource Management (NRM) within the catchment. In order for an individual to be involved in natural resource management, there needs to be an understanding of the issues. Knowledge and awareness will facilitate action and progress against the targets. This targets aims to lift the level of awareness by means of education programs specifically in areas that have historically shown a lower participation rate in NRM. This target requires a benchmark figure for monitoring progress through the life of the Plan. This information will be gathered by means of an attitudinal survey scheduled in late 2005.

 

Management Target (MTPC1:

• By 2016, have in place NRM education programs for schools, community and land managers. The first step to full community engagement is through education. This target intends to ensure that effective education programs are undertaken for key groups within the community. These programs would focus on natural resource management and aspects of catchment health. The programs would have an evaluation component to ensure that they are indeed effective in their approach for the target audience.

 

Clarification of Terms:

EDUCATION PROGRAMS:

• programs that provide the participants with balanced and objective information to assist them in understanding the problem, alternatives or solutions.

 

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Catchment Target (CTPC2):

• By 2016, increase the capacity of the community to participate in programs leading to improved natural resource management Once aware of an issue, an individual needs to have the personal confidence to step forward and become involved in projects. The CMA has recognised that this capacity needs to be fostered in order to make any progress towards the huge task outlined through the targets. The CMA intends to increase the capacity by means such as establishing training programs, stewardship and incentives.

 

Clarification of Terms:

CAPACITY:

• the individual’s ability and confidence to be actively involved in on-ground projects.

 

Management Target (MTPC2):

• By 2016, increase in the participation of land managers involved in regional planning process and the practical application of NRM strategies. A measure of success in community engagement is the number of people actively involved and committed to addressing the issue of concern. This target intends to ensure the community is allowed to feel empowered to act on NRM issues through approaches such as consultation, collaboration and incentives.

 

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Catchment Target (CTPC3):

• By 2016, increase the level of engagement between the non-Aboriginal community with the Aboriginal community in Natural Resource Management This target relates to the issue of fostering the relationship between indigenous and non-indigenous communities in regard to natural resource management and particularly cultural knowledge. Increasing the opportunities of indigenous and non-indigenous people will encourage the sharing of knowledge, both geographical and spiritual, and breakdown the resistance to interact on issues such as management of, and negotiated access to, significant cultural heritage sites on freehold land.

 

Clarification of Terms:

ENGAGEMENT:

• Describes two parties with an active and ongoing level of information exchange, consultation and participation in projects.

 

Management Target (MTPC3:

• By 2016, implement 3 programs to increase knowledge and understanding of the wider community of Aboriginal culture and cultural projects. This target specifically aims to facilitate an understanding of the Aboriginal culture in regard to natural resource management and the connection to the landscape. The intent of the target is to promote the ongoing exchange of information and understanding between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people by means of education.

 

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Catchment Target (CTPC4):

• By 2016, increase Aboriginal community engagement in Natural Resource Management. The indigenous connection to the landscape is inherent in the Aboriginal communities across the catchment, however it is also recognised by the CMA that opportunities for Aboriginal people to be directly involved in NRM projects are limited. This target aims to increase the level of involvement in NRM projects by the Aboriginal community by means of projects and programs that are culturally appropriate in their approach.

 

Management Target (MTPC4):

• By 2016, increase in the number of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people involved in indigenous NRM projects. This target intends to address the issue of providing the opportunity for Aboriginal people to undertake natural resource management projects. These projects would address issues that are culturally specific, yet also demonstrate natural resource management outcomes eg. Community bush food projects.