Local Community Groups
The Wheatbelt Region is known for small communities looking after their own backyard. Low population density means many communities have local groups that are active in their local environment. At last count, there was over 50 local ‘Friends of’ or local catchment groups and other service groups that are active in improving the Wheatbelt environment.
Many of these groups participated in the initial development of the regional priorities included in the Regional NRM Strategy and this alignment ensures local action has regional benefits.
Grower Groups
Grower Groups in the Region concentrate on productivity innovations that grow the agricultural output of the Region.
A productive agricultural sector is underpinned by a healthy and resilient natural environment with the capacity to cope with shocks to the system due to a changing climate.
The Grower Groups of the Region work with their members, industry, research organisations and Wheatbelt NRM to trial innovative management practices that strengthen the resource base and provide production benefits.
Local Governments
Local Governments are on the front line of NRM planning and action. Through land-use planning functions and the delivery of services such as road construction, waste management and land management Local Governments active participate in NRM activity but it is through their role in community development that Local Governments deliver directly on the vision of the Regional NRM Strategy of ‘Sense of Place’.
The community told us in the development of the Strategy that “Withdrawal of services impacts on people’s ability to live in the community long term.”
Collaboration to protect our sense of place by maximising amenity and community services delivers the quality of life that will keep our community in the Region.
Education Institutions
Muresk Institute provides for a range of educational and training activities in the Region. It hosts universities, RTO’s and other training providers and collaboration that shares the vision for our Wheatbelt environment helps us build the knowledge of our next generation of land managers.
Government Agencies
Various State Government departments and agencies are involved in NRM and regional development activity and commit significant resources. Many of these agencies are also custodians of significant NRM monitoring data that they contribute to the Regional NRM Dashboard that demonstrates trends in the state of the big resource issues.
Agencies such as DBCA and DPIRD as well as DWER and the Wheatbelt Development Commission all have a role in contributing to the vision of the Regional Strategy and actively work with industry, community groups, Grower Groups and community, as well as Wheatbelt NRM, to achieve success.
Research Organisations
Research organisations play a key role in undertaking scientific studies that lead to innovations inactivity in the Region that protects and builds the resource base and tackles the big resource issues identified in the Regional NRM Strategy.
The University of WA through their Future Farm trials innovations and works directly with Wheatbelt farmers.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) provides climate data that is used across the region to inform climate and drought action. Collaborations ensure up to date information is available to decision-makers.
Individual Community Members
The issues facing the Wheatbelt are so large and complex that it is only through the actions of the community that landscape change will occur.
Additionally, most of the land in the Wheatbelt is under private ownership so the actions of individuals have a great impact on our resource base. The Regional NRM Strategy was developed based on the values and future vision the community had for their Region and action continues to have community at its centre.
Wheatbelt NRM
The Vision of Wheatbelt NRM is
“A vibrant Wheatbelt community creating healthy environments and livelihoods.”
And out approach is:
Our work empowers people of the Wheatbelt to make positive change in their local environment and creates a legacy of community action.
Wheatbelt NRM sites as a trusted independent organisation that brings community, Government, industry and researchers together to share their priorities and work together to achieve the targets in the Regional NRM Strategy.
