Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority

The Sydney Metropolitan CMA region extends from Mona Vale to Stanwell Park, and from Blacktown to the coast. Photo: Simon Ho

mambaraAutumn 2012 | Issue 34www.sydney.cma.nsw.gov.au

mambaraThe Aboriginal Darug name for Geebung Tree (Persoonia sp)

Download Mambara: www.sydney.cma.nsw.gov.au

Mambara is the official newsletter of the Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority (SMCMA). It is funded through the Australian Government Caring for our Country initiative.

The SMCMA is one of 13 NSW and 56 Australian natural resource bodies whose purpose is to provide a landscape-scale regional approach to management of the natural environment.

Mambara is published quarterly. Email is the preferred method of distribution. Or download: www.smcma.nsw.gov.au

Paper stock: Revive Laser 'High White': 100% recycled; carbon neutral; Australian made.

Contact Mambara Editor: Louise McMahon louise.mcmahon@cma.nsw.gov.au

Catchment Action Plan: Michele Bailey michele.bailey@cma.nsw.gov.au

Volunteer Coordinators’ Network: Jeanie Muspratt jeanie.muspratt@cma.nsw.gov.au

PO Box 3720, PARRAMATTA NSW 2124

Catchment ManagementAuthoritySydney Metropolitan

Catchment ManagementAuthoritySydney Metropolitan

ThiS EdiTiON Of MAMBARA iS AN AdVENTuRE STORy.

One definition of adventure is “uncertainty of outcome”. The SMCMA has been asked to go on a journey that will take us to 2022. So while we are doing all we can to plan and prepare, we can never know exactly what we will discover when we arrive in 2022.

Just like most people who embark on an extended journey, the SMCMA is compiling “to do” lists with timelines. We are reading and researching so we have as good an idea as possible of what to expect along the way, and what tools and equipment we will need.

Because no-one has been to 2022 before, we are being asked to write the guidebook for this journey. The guidebook is called “The Catchment Action Plan for the Sydney Metropolitan Region”. To help us write this guidebook we are gathering the best information we can by discussing our journey with as many people as we can, asking questions and documenting their advice.

We are also inviting a lot of companions to come on this journey with us, and to be residents with us once we arrive in 2022.

A Catchment Action Plan:Is central to the delivery of natural resource management in NSWIs a 10-year strategic plan that sets targets and directs investment of public and private funds for natural resource management (NRM)Is guided by community expectations and reflects community input into the drafting and review stagesIs a “whole of government” document with input from across NSW government departments, agencies and local governments (councils) Is an integral part of government planning and service delivery Is using “resilience thinking” which reflects what impacts an environmental system can absorb and still survive and revive Is guided and reviewed by the Natural Resources Commission Is approved by the NSW Minister for the Department of Primary Industries

Special

EditionPreparing Natural Resource Management targets to take us to 2022

ABOVE: This pic of the Lilli Pilli Bushcare Weed Warriors by Bruce Gimber of

Sutherland Shire Bushcare won the "Best photo of an environmental volunteer

group" category at the 2012 SMCMA Regional Photography Competition.

RiGhT: Peter Miller from Reefcare took this photo - "restoring shorebird

habitat, removing bitou bush and planting local natives" which won the "Best

photo of a Bushcare site that demonstrates work in progress" category.

MORE: Details of the SMCMA Photo competition- see page 4.

There's a Lot Happening in Our Backyard.....

CatchmentCatch-upSpecial

EditionThat’s the theme of a national communication campaign highlighting the work being achieved by Australia’s 56 regional natural resource management entities.

Photo Competition:To highlight the achievements of community bushcare over the past five years the SMCMA held a photo competition as part of the 2012 community forum.

Winner of the “Best photo of a Bushcare site that demonstrates work in progress” category was Peter Miller (pictured here) from Reefcare with his photo Restoring Shorebird Habitat, removing bitou bush and planting local natives. (See page1) There were 27 entries in this category and the prize was generously sponsored by the Australian Association of Bush Regenerators. Peter won a $50 voucher to spend at Florilegium botanical book store and a $50 voucher to buy tools through Arborgreen.

The winner of the “Best photo of an environmental volunteer group” category was Bruce Gimber from Sutherland Shire Bushcare for his photo Lilli Pilli Bushcare Weed Warriors. (See page1) There were 23 entries in the category. Bruce won a gourmet hamper to the value of $100 to share with his fellow volunteers over morning tea.

The winner of the “People’s Choice” award went to Liz Millen, who volunteers with the Cooks River Valley Association.

Visit our website to see Community Forum photos.

Bushcare on Show:Sydney’s Royal Easter Show is the nation’s largest annual event, attracting more than 900,000 during its 10-day

program at Homebush Bay. The show has historically provided a showcase for NSW primary and secondary industries, and for the promotion of agricultural education and improvement. For generations, the Show has brought ‘the country to the city’, and it continues to be important, especially for children, in Sydney’s cultural life.

The SMCMA participates by supporting Willoughby City Council host the Bushcare stall (Pictured here), which is located within the “Great Aussie Backyard” exhibition. The Bushcare stall promotes bush-friendly activities to the wider community. One of the major strengths of the stall is the large number of people from across Sydney who volunteer to answer questions and encourage people to become Bushcare volunteers themselves.

2012 Community Forum:Some 100 people attended the SMCMA community Forum held on March 31 at Bicentennial Park. The theme was Looking Back: Looking Forward. Looking back highlighted the five years since the first forum. Looking Forward invited delegates to provide their input in the development of the SMCMA CAP.

Water. Waste. WeavingWorkshops were hosted by the SMCMA to highlight impact of water and

litter on waterways. The workshops featured Indigenous traditional weaving as a cultural experience.

Resilience WorkshopsResilience: “the capacity of a system to absorb

disturbance and reorganise while undergoing change,

so as to retain essentially the same function, structure,

identity and feedbacks”

( Rob Hopkins, co-founder of the Transition Network; author of

The Transition Handbook).

The concept of resilience emerged from within the ecological

sciences as a way of looking at why some systems collapse

when they encounter shock, and some don’t. The insights

gleaned now offer a very useful overview for determining how

systems can adapt and thrive in changing circumstances.

“Resilience Thinking “ has been adopted by the SMCMA as a

tool to measure the degree to which our region demonstrates

natural resource and social resilience. Strategies will be

developed to increase the region’s future resilience.

The five coastal CMAs – Hawkesbury-Nepean, Northern

Rivers, Hunter Central Rivers, Southern Rivers and SMCMA

collaborated in delivering five resilience workshops during

October and December, 2011. Each workshop focused on a

separate theme – Rivers, Estuaries, Land, Community and

Biodiversity. Each workshop was hosted and managed by a

different CMA. The SMCMA hosted the Rivers Workshop which

was attended by staff from NSW Government Departments and

the coastal CMAs.

Catchment Action Plan (CAP) In 2005-06 the SMCMA developed its first CAP which acted as a “guidebook” directing NRM investment to 2015. This first CAP is being used as a starting block from which the SMCMA will launch into its CAP 2022 journey.

Talking to the Experts/

Sourcing knowledge for our journey to 2022…

The SMCMA Community Forum on March 31

provided us with the opportunity to ask many of

our friends what they wanted to see in 2022; what

preparations were essential, what path we might

take, and what tools would be required to get there.

Almost 100 environmental volunteers from groups

across Sydney attended our annual community

forum which had the theme: “Looking Forward,

Looking Back”. The first SMCMA community

forum was held in 2007, and 2012 provided an

exceptional opportunity to look back on the journey

of environmental volunteering and to the challenges

and achievements ahead.

CAP Pioneers: Central West and Namoi CMA There are 13 NSW CMAs and two – Central West and Namoi have taken the lead in developing and delivering their CAPS for their regions. The SMCMA has looked to these CMAs for any tips that can assist us in our CAP journey.

Have your say.

..

You can have input into the

SMCMA Catchment Action

P lan by completing an

online survey.

Visit our website and click on the

"CAP" button.

www.sydney.cma.nsw.gov.au

....by 31 May

The 10-year CAP journey the SMCMA is embarking on will not end in 2022.Our work will have an important impact on the condition of NRM within Sydney, but the work will continue. As 2022 approaches those charged with managing NRM within Sydney will already be planning and taking action to guide the direction to 2050 and beyond….

CAP Audit: The role of the NRC:The Natural Resources Commission (NRC) was established in 2003 to provide the NSW Government with independent advice on natural resource management. The NRC advises the

Government on what is working in natural resource management, what needs fixing

and how it is tracking against its stated policies and targets.

Acting on early recommendations from the NRC the NSW Government

adopted a set of state-wide targets for natural resource management, and

the Standard for Quality Natural Resource Management. The NRC reviews catchment action plans and recommends whether they should be approved. The NRC audits how effectively these CAPs are being implemented on the ground.

Once the SMCMA has drafted its CAP for 2022 it will be forwarded to the NRC for review.The NRC will be looking for changes in knowledge, governance and processes as identified in the "Framework for Assessing and Recommending Upgraded Catchment Action Plans".

2022

: The

Jou

rney

Beg

ins...

Departure Point:

2012:

March 22: Pittwater, Warringah, Ku–ring-gai, Hornsby, The Hills and Willoughby.

March 27: Manly, Mosman, North Sydney, Woollahra, Lane Cove, Leichhardt, Hunters Hill and City of Sydney.

March 28: Campbelltown, Liverpool, Fairfield, Holroyd, Blacktown and Camden.

March 29: Rockdale, Marrickville, Canterbury, Strathfield and Burwood.

April 3: Hurstville, Kogarah, Bankstown, Sutherland, Wollondilly and Wollongong.

April 4: Ashfield, Auburn, Canada Bay, Ryde and Parramatta.

April 5: Waverley, Randwick and Botany Bay.

All NSW councils are required to prepare 10-year Community Strategic Plans on a schedule set by the Division of Local Government. Within our region 35 of the 39 councils have draft plans available. This data will be evaluated for relevance to the SMCMA CAP.

Travelling Together:Our Local Government Partners Join our JourneyTravelling Together:Our Local Government Partners Join our Journey

CAP Approval:Is granted by the Minister for Primary Industries.

There are 39 Local Government Areas within the SMCMA region. At workshops we have met with Council representatives to discuss what the new SMCMA CAP will include and what it will aim to achieve.

Councils are the largest custodians of land in the metropolitan area and they have the responsibility for managing natural resources across extensive areas. The following workshops with Councils have been held:

mambara

Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority

The Sydney Metropolitan CMA region extends from Mona Vale to Stanwell Park, and from Blacktown to the coast. Photo: Simon Ho

mambaraAutumn 2012 | Issue 34www.sydney.cma.nsw.gov.au

mambaraThe Aboriginal Darug name for Geebung Tree (Persoonia sp)

Download Mambara: www.sydney.cma.nsw.gov.au

Mambara is the official newsletter of the Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority (SMCMA). It is funded through the Australian Government Caring for our Country initiative.

The SMCMA is one of 13 NSW and 56 Australian natural resource bodies whose purpose is to provide a landscape-scale regional approach to management of the natural environment.

Mambara is published quarterly. Email is the preferred method of distribution. Or download: www.smcma.nsw.gov.au

Paper stock: Revive Laser 'High White': 100% recycled; carbon neutral; Australian made.

Contact Mambara Editor: Louise McMahon louise.mcmahon@cma.nsw.gov.au

Catchment Action Plan: Michele Bailey michele.bailey@cma.nsw.gov.au

Volunteer Coordinators’ Network: Jeanie Muspratt jeanie.muspratt@cma.nsw.gov.au

PO Box 3720, PARRAMATTA NSW 2124

Catchment ManagementAuthoritySydney Metropolitan

Catchment ManagementAuthoritySydney Metropolitan

ThiS EdiTiON Of MAMBARA iS AN AdVENTuRE STORy.

One definition of adventure is “uncertainty of outcome”. The SMCMA has been asked to go on a journey that will take us to 2022. So while we are doing all we can to plan and prepare, we can never know exactly what we will discover when we arrive in 2022.

Just like most people who embark on an extended journey, the SMCMA is compiling “to do” lists with timelines. We are reading and researching so we have as good an idea as possible of what to expect along the way, and what tools and equipment we will need.

Because no-one has been to 2022 before, we are being asked to write the guidebook for this journey. The guidebook is called “The Catchment Action Plan for the Sydney Metropolitan Region”. To help us write this guidebook we are gathering the best information we can by discussing our journey with as many people as we can, asking questions and documenting their advice.

We are also inviting a lot of companions to come on this journey with us, and to be residents with us once we arrive in 2022.

A Catchment Action Plan:Is central to the delivery of natural resource management in NSWIs a 10-year strategic plan that sets targets and directs investment of public and private funds for natural resource management (NRM)Is guided by community expectations and reflects community input into the drafting and review stagesIs a “whole of government” document with input from across NSW government departments, agencies and local governments (councils) Is an integral part of government planning and service delivery Is using “resilience thinking” which reflects what impacts an environmental system can absorb and still survive and revive Is guided and reviewed by the Natural Resources Commission Is approved by the NSW Minister for the Department of Primary Industries

Special

EditionPreparing Natural Resource Management targets to take us to 2022

ABOVE: This pic of the Lilli Pilli Bushcare Weed Warriors by Bruce Gimber of

Sutherland Shire Bushcare won the "Best photo of an environmental volunteer

group" category at the 2012 SMCMA Regional Photography Competition.

RiGhT: Peter Miller from Reefcare took this photo - "restoring shorebird

habitat, removing bitou bush and planting local natives" which won the "Best

photo of a Bushcare site that demonstrates work in progress" category.

MORE: Details of the SMCMA Photo competition- see page 4.

There's a Lot Happening in Our Backyard.....

CatchmentCatch-upSpecial

EditionThat’s the theme of a national communication campaign highlighting the work being achieved by Australia’s 56 regional natural resource management entities.

Photo Competition:To highlight the achievements of community bushcare over the past five years the SMCMA held a photo competition as part of the 2012 community forum.

Winner of the “Best photo of a Bushcare site that demonstrates work in progress” category was Peter Miller (pictured here) from Reefcare with his photo Restoring Shorebird Habitat, removing bitou bush and planting local natives. (See page1) There were 27 entries in this category and the prize was generously sponsored by the Australian Association of Bush Regenerators. Peter won a $50 voucher to spend at Florilegium botanical book store and a $50 voucher to buy tools through Arborgreen.

The winner of the “Best photo of an environmental volunteer group” category was Bruce Gimber from Sutherland Shire Bushcare for his photo Lilli Pilli Bushcare Weed Warriors. (See page1) There were 23 entries in the category. Bruce won a gourmet hamper to the value of $100 to share with his fellow volunteers over morning tea.

The winner of the “People’s Choice” award went to Liz Millen, who volunteers with the Cooks River Valley Association.

Visit our website to see Community Forum photos.

Bushcare on Show:Sydney’s Royal Easter Show is the nation’s largest annual event, attracting more than 900,000 during its 10-day

program at Homebush Bay. The show has historically provided a showcase for NSW primary and secondary industries, and for the promotion of agricultural education and improvement. For generations, the Show has brought ‘the country to the city’, and it continues to be important, especially for children, in Sydney’s cultural life.

The SMCMA participates by supporting Willoughby City Council host the Bushcare stall (Pictured here), which is located within the “Great Aussie Backyard” exhibition. The Bushcare stall promotes bush-friendly activities to the wider community. One of the major strengths of the stall is the large number of people from across Sydney who volunteer to answer questions and encourage people to become Bushcare volunteers themselves.

2012 Community Forum:Some 100 people attended the SMCMA community Forum held on March 31 at Bicentennial Park. The theme was Looking Back: Looking Forward. Looking back highlighted the five years since the first forum. Looking Forward invited delegates to provide their input in the development of the SMCMA CAP.

Water. Waste. WeavingWorkshops were hosted by the SMCMA to highlight impact of water and

litter on waterways. The workshops featured Indigenous traditional weaving as a cultural experience.