barron river catchment management association · pdf filebarron river catchment management...

33

Agenda Community Services Committee 12 March 2014 - #4297248

COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE

12 MARCH 20144

BARRON RIVER CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

Brett Spencer: 1/2/11: #4285123

RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that Council:

a) endorses the continuation of the partnership between Council and theBarron River Catchment Management Association for the management of the lower catchment zone of the Barron River, through the attached Memorandum of Understanding; and

b) does not make an annual financial contribution, however redirects this funding to support other volunteer groups working on Council’s behalf.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Council has received a request from Mr Brian Down, Chairman of the Barron River Catchment Management Association (BRCMA) for financial support via a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

This report considers the on-going and long-term partnership between Council (CRC) and the Barron River Catchment Management Association (BRCMA). The purpose of the attached MoU is to outline an agreed set of principles and operational arrangements for both BRCMA and CRC to ensure improved management of the Barron River for sustainability and ecosystem health. In the past, Council has committed to providing both financial and in-kind support to projects within the Lower Barron River Zone. Officers are recommending that Council continue, through a revised MoU, to provide in-kind support. However, Officers further recommend that our annual financial contribution be redirected to growing volunteer groups such as Botanical Gardens, Cattana Wetlands and ad-hoc volunteers that are undertaking work in the Cairns Regional Council area.

BACKGROUND:

The Barron River Catchment Management Association (BRCMA) was formed in 1994 and is based on integrated catchment management principles to address catchment issues. BRCMA had its basis as one of the first pilot catchment management initiatives undertaken in Queensland in 1990. In 2006, the organisation adopted the name Barron Catchment Care.

34


BRCMA includes representatives from a wide range of interest groups, including local councils, rural producers, commerce and industry, urban community, conservation, tourism, education, and State agencies. The broad range of people and groups involved in BRCMA can ensure that local decision making accurately reflects both the need to preserve essential ecosystem functions as well as the economic and social needs of the communities living in the catchment. It is a voluntary process, and relies for its success upon individuals and organisations choosing to make their land management practices more sustainable.

COMMENT:

The previous arrangements between CRC and BRCMA:

Financial support of $11,509.82 (adjusted by annual CPI) annually over five years with provision to extend subject to approval by CRC, contingent on the projects meeting CRC’s corporate objectives.Financial support of Catchment Coordinating Committee meetings by way of providing a venue and catering for a total of four meetings per year.In-kind support may be provided through project management, maintenance work, labouring, raw materials (including propagation and growth of seedlings), technical services (eg surveying), mapping and planning support from the organisation. Maintenance and labouring work is to be scheduled with input from the supervisor of the Revegetation Unit and shall align with Council’s desires to limit tree planting during the dry season.CRC are represented on the Catchment Committee to provide support and to monitor effective use of CRC’s contribution.CRC commits to protect the investment on the tenure under its jurisdiction into the future, utilising sustainable maintenance regimes and considering the project goals in future planning and approvals processes.

The purpose of the attached draft MoU is to outline an agreed set of principles and operational arrangements for BRCMA and CRC that provides the above without an annual financial contribution.

This draft MoU is not binding on either party but is provided as a statement of intent and as a vehicle of cooperation.

Volunteer Development:

Council’s Park Leisure branch has taken a very proactive approach to developing volunteers over the past 12-18 months in the provision of dedicated support to existing and new volunteer management groups that predominately provide services to Council’s “green” areas. Groups such as the Friends of the Botanical Gardens (four integrated groups) have expanded services with Council’s dedicated support and theemerging development of the Friends of Cattana Wetlands.

There is also a growing number of individual volunteers that provide services – ,predominately street and park scaping – that need management support from Council. Support to these groups and individuals is by way of advice and staff support and also training, materials, PPE and associated tool and equipment costs.

35


In the year ending December 2013, volunteers at the Botanic Gardens and Cattana Wetlands alone provided more than 21,275 volunteer hours. This could be likened to the equivalent of more than $500,000 of in-kind support to Council’s activities. Add to this the growing number of individuals supported by Council and this is a very impressive amount of time that these caring community members provide.

In a community development sense, capacity building of community groups and individuals is core business. Council, in redirecting the funds that in the past it has provided to BRCMA, has the potential to further increase volunteer development on a broader community-based approach.

OPTIONS:

Options presented for Council consideration are as follows:

Option 1 (recommended): That Council endorses the draft MoU between Cairns Regional Council and the Barron River Catchment Management Association without anannual financial contribution amount.

Or

Endorses the draft MoU between Cairns Regional Council and Barron River Catchment Management Association with an annual financial contribution amount.

Or

That Council does not endorse the MoU between Cairns Regional Council and Barron River Catchment Management Association at all.

CONSIDERATIONS:

Risk management:

There are no risks associated with the proposal.

Financial

Due to an oversight in transitioning responsibility for this group within Council departments, funding normally available to BRCMA was not provided for in 2013/14 operating budgets.

Budget for the recommended option in this report, approximately $11,500 in 2014/15 would be redirected into a designated Volunteer Management function account, in Parks and Leisure operations.

In-kind support would be part of current Natural Areas operational budget.

36


Corporate and Operational Plans:

This proposal meets strategic goal 3.1of the Corporate Plan: A natural environment that is valued and sustainable and 3.1.2 Encourage best practice management strategies to minimise damage to the environment from built infrastructure and community activities and finally 3.1.3 Encourage community involvement in the development and implementation of natural resource management plans and initiatives.

Statutory:

There are no statutory requirements associated with this proposal.

Policy:

General Policy 1:04:43 Protection of the Natural Environment

CONSULTATION:

The consultation process has included members of the committee from BRCMA, Council Officers Manager Parks & Leisure, Coordinator Natural Resources and Division 7 Councillor.

ATTACHEMENTS

Attachment 1 Letter of request from Mr Brian Down, Chairman BRCMAAttachment 2 Draft MoU

Brett SpencerManager Parks and Leisure

Kerrie StillA/General Manager Community Sport &Cultural Services

37


Attachment 1: Letter of request from Mr Brian Down, Chairman BRCMA

38


39


40


41


42


43


44


barron river catchment management association · pdf filebarron river catchment management...

Documents