December 2016 News and Updates
Merry Christmas!!
From the GSLN Committee and Landcare Coordinators. We'll be open over the Christmas season exluding public holidays.
|
|
In this issue:
GSLN project updates
- Youth Engagement
- Cumberland Plain Landcare Support
- CHEN - Cattai Hills Environment Network (New)
- Increasing the adaptive potential of restored plant assemblages - RBG ET grant successful
- Upcoming Forums on changes to listed Noxious Weeds in Greater Sydney
- Have your say about the Draft Medium Density Design Guide
Opportunities and grants
- LNSW insurance for incorporated groups
- In Safe Hands Workshop Feb 22, 2017
- DPI Fish Habitat Flagship Program
- Federal Citizen Science Grants
- Free plants from Greening Australia
|
|
GSLN project updates
Youth Engagement - Young Inspirational Landcare retreats
GSLN plan to launch our first weekend landcare leadership retreat for 18-35 year olds early next year. It will be a weekend of adventure conservation activities in addition to workshops that will teach young adults leadership skills and pair them with experienced mentors. Attendees will go on to run their own landcare projects with ongoing support from their mentors. If you are a young person interested in having a fun outdoor weekend and gaining some work experience, or an experienced NRM volunteer or professional interested in mentoring young adults, please contact Elisha to find out how you can attend a retreat.
E. elisha.duxbury@greatersydneylandcare.org
Ph. 02 4724 2147
|
|
Cumberland Plain Landcare Support
The Cumberland Plain Landcare (and Bushcare) Support Program is kicking off early next year with monthly events designed to bring in volunteers, informal training and a small amount of emergency funding to help western Sydney Landcare and Bushcare groups in need.
The Program is kicking off on the Cumberland Land Conservancy's "Wallaroo", on Saturday Feb 11th in Mulgoa. Volunteers will be camping out on this beautiful property with dinner, bush poetry and star gazing. An informal talk about the fauna of western Sydney is also planned for the Wallaroo event.
Other events across western Sydney will be equally entertaining and at unique Cumberland Plain Woodland sites, or other threatened Ecological Communities, including rivers, wetlands and rainforests.
All events will have informal talks about aspects of western Sydney's bushland and will be catered for.
Volunteers from outside of western Sydney are encouraged to come along and help out. Bush regeneration experience would be great, but not essential as training will be provided. More info? Contact...
Xuela Sledge, Local Landcare Coordinator, Greater Sydney Landcare Network
E: xuela.sledge@greatersydneylandcare.org
Ph: 4724 2146
|
|
CHEN - Cattai Hills Environment Network
Cattai Hills Environment Network (CHEN) has just held its second meeting. It is a brand new group, coordinating a forum for the Cattai and Little Cattai Creek catchments. Although Bushcare is common in the Hills district, conservation on private land - or Landcare - has not been operational since the days of the Hawkebsury Nepean Catchment Management Trust, when a Caring for Cattai campaign was strong for a number of years. CHEN is hoping to re-invigorate a 'caring for Cattai' attitude and instigate Landcare across the Hills Shire. Ultimately, the group hopes to see the Platypus back in the area, as it once used to be.
If you are a Hills resident, or have an interest in the Cattai or Little Cattai catchment the group would love to hear from you. The next meeting of CHEN will be Thursday 9th February, 2017. More info? Contact...
Xuela Sledge, Local Landcare Coordinator, Greater Sydney Landcare Network
E: xuela.sledge@greatersydneylandcare.org
Ph: 4724 2146
|
|
Increasing the adaptive potential of restored plant assemblages - Royal Botanic Gardens Environmental Trust grant successful!
Scientists are concerned that plants may no longer be suited to their original habitats as the world's climate changes and affects local conditions, which influences how we plan landscape restoration projects.The RBG have just won an ET grant to test the adaptive potential of plant species commonly used in landscape restoration in relation to climate change. GSLN is collaborating with RBG on this project and will be seeking landcare and bushcare groups and volunteers who want to collect plant samples for the project next year. Keep an eye out for updates if you or your group are interested in taking part in some citizen science!
|
|
Upcoming Forums on changes to listed Noxious Weeds in Greater Sydney
Save the date! Greater Sydney Landcare Network and Local Land Services (LLS) would like to invite members and others interested in Land Management to some important public Forums about the Biosecurity Act and Regulation, and a proposed Draft Weed Management Plan for the Greater Sydney Region.
The Act affects the way in which weeds are classified and therefore managed, and will replace the current Noxious Weeds Act. The Forums provide an opportunity for Land Managers, professionals and volunteers to learn about the new arrangements and provide feedback to LLS and the sub-regional weeds committees about the Draft Plan. Meetings will be held in early February across the region, at the following locations:
Penrith Council February 7th from 5 -7pm
Chatswood: Dougherty Centre February 9th 5 - 7pm
Gosford: Erina Centre February 14th 4 - 6pm
Randwick Community Centre February 15th 5 - 7pm
Liverpool: Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre February 16th 5 - 7pm
|
|
Have your say about the Draft Medium Density Design Guide
The deadline to have your say about the Draft Medium Density Design Guide has been extended from 12 December to 23 December. A key component of this change is a proposal to expand “code complying development” to include medium density development and to introduce a proposed Medium Density Code.
To date, high-rise development has been kept to areas zoned for high density. Similarly medium density can only be built in specifically designated areas. However the Medium Density Code aims to extend medium density development throughout current low density single dwelling residential areas (R2 zone) as complying development.
If approved the changes apply to all areas where development can occur and are designed to increase density across suburban areas and reduce lot sizes.This legislation will only be influenced if sufficient comments are received. If you have not already done so please take advantage of the time extension and submit
http://planspolicies.planning.nsw.gov.au/index.pl?action=view_job&job_id=80
For more information see
www.planning.nsw.gov.au/CoastalReform
http://www.greater.sydney/have-your-say
http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/Policy-and-Legislation/Housing/Medium-Density-Housing
|
|
Opportunities and grants
Landcare NSW Membership only offer
INSURANCE PACKAGE for Landcare Groups
Groups with direct membership with Landcare NSW can ensure they are adequately covered with insurance specifically tailored to Landcare groups by insuring via Landcare NSW.
For $320 per group, the insurance package offers your group:
1. Personal accident for volunteers
2. Public liability
3. Association liability
Contact Landcare NSW for more information: Melissa Joseph, Project Manager, Landcare Trust Project
E: mjoseph@landcarensw.org.au
M: 0414 499 666
W: www.landcarensw.org.au
|
|
In Safe Hands Toolkit 3 - Workshop February 22, 2017
This is a training program for community groups engaged in practical conservation activities, which aims to eliminate risk and meet duties under Work Health and Safety legislation. This is a program developed by Conservation Volunteers Australia, who have maintained volunteer safety as paramount over the last 30 years.
Volunteer supervisors and Landcare group members are invited to attend this workshop... Even if you are confident with your current risk assessment and safety procedures, In Safe Hands will help you look at these aspects of your group's activity differently. If safety is something that hasn't changed in your group routine for a while, this 4 hour workshop may be worthwhile doing.
Fore more info contact either Xuela or Elisha, Greater Sydney Landcare Network.
|
|
DPI Fish Habitat Flagship Rehabilitation Grants - Expressions of interest
The “Flagship Fish Habitat Rehabilitation Grant” program (“Flagship Grants”) is an exciting new funding opportunity for coastal NSW, offering up to $400,000 for individual projects that significantly enhance fish habitat, water quality and fish passage opportunities within the coastal catchments of NSW.
EOI's are due 23rd December. Visit the Department of Primary Industry website for more details.
|
|
Federal Citizen Science Grants
The Federal Government have just released $30 million towards Citizen Science projects.
Citizen Science Grants is an element of the Inspiring Australia - Science Engagement Program. It provides grants on a competitive basis to support community participation in scientific research projects that have a national impact. Round opens on 17 November 2016 and closes at 4.00pm AEDT on 17 February 2017.
More info click here.
|
|
Free native plants available from Greening Australia!
Free native plants are available from Greening Australia for the following LGAs:
Blue mountains, Penrith, Hawkesbury, Blacktown, Fairfield and Liverpool.
Contact Rafiq at Greening Australia. Phone: 9677 6209.
|
|
|
|
