The ACT Government is developing a new 20-year Natural Resource Management (NRM) plan for the Territory and is seeking community input.
Sustainable agriculture in Canberra is just one of many goals presented in the Natural Resource Management Plan Discussion Paper 2021.
With the 2017-20 extended period of dry weather in Canberra, followed by smoke haze, bushfires, flooding, and hail, it is no doubt that climate change is having an increased impact on the ecosystem’s functions and processes across the ACT region.
The Paper plans to address climate change with sustainable agriculture would support ACT farmers to sustain healthy farm ecosystems, and recognise the importance of Ngunnawal people’s natural resource management through understanding cultural knowledge and practices.
Community members and environmental volunteers in Canberra are being invited to contribute their knowledge and ideas for the Plan.
ACT NRM CEO Frank Garofalow said the outcome of the plan will give the community an opportunity to help guide future spending on the protection of the ACT region’s environmental assets.
“Consultation is a vital part of this plan given how much the community understands and cares about the ACT Region’s urban, waterway and conservation environments,” Mr Garofalow said.
The ACT NRM, one of 54 organisations of its kind across the country, looks after the region’s natural resources, and is a mix of government agencies and non-government organisations.
Landcare ACT is facilitating an engagement process that will provide the community an opportunity to have meaningful input into future policies and, significantly, spending decisions in the ACT around how the environment is managed.
Landcare ACT CEO Karissa Preuss said that they are currently working with ACT NRM to consult with the Landcare community on future management of the environment.
“Landcare volunteers contribute over $2 million annually towards the ACT’s natural environment in volunteer hours, whether it be as urban land carers, rural land managers, Park carers, Aboriginal land managers or citizen scientists,” Ms Preuss said.
“Input from these Landcarers with their extensive knowledge of local environmental issues will be invaluable to the ACT NRM plan.”
The invitation to contribute extends to all ACT residents, including Ngunnawal Traditional Custodians, rural landholders, community groups, non-government organisations, urban dwellers, universities and local businesses and industry.
To access the NRM discussion paper, visit yoursay.act.gov.au. The community can have their say on the discussion paper here.
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