Our Plan for the Northern Tablelands

Our strong and diverse communities, special natural landscapes and productive agricultural industries make this Local Landscape an area we are proud to call home.

By working together we can manage and enhance these values; we can maintain healthy waterways and forests and make sure our farmlands and communities remain productive and strong. We can help build a healthy landscape, so our families and children can continue to enjoy all our area has to offer.

Our three top priorities

1. Biosecurity

We will minimise the threat of pests and weeds on our natural and agricultural landscapes through effective planning and action.

Weeds and feral animals are a major problem in our Local Landscape. They place a huge economic burden on our farming industries, through the damage they cause and the effort required to control them. They affect the growth of native plant species, reduce habitat for native animals as well as predating on them, and they increase the fire risk.

Some animal species, like the exotic ants invading our area, also have the potential to affect our lifestyles and daily activities.

Being able to recognise the threat of weeds and feral animals before they become widespread gives us a much greater chance of controlling or even eradicating them. We already have a strong foundation in place to work on, with effective groups, important skills and planning frameworks; we have the opportunity for really positive biosecurity outcomes in our Local Landscape.

 “If these ants (yellow crazy ants and electric ants) get away we can kiss our forests, native animals and farming goodbye. Even gardening and playing in house yards will be lost.”

Examples of our priority actions include:

• Conduct a coordinated program to control Yellow Crazy Ants and Electric Ants.
• Conduct a coordinated and extensive pig trapping and baiting program.
• Collaborate with all stakeholders for ongoing control of priority pests and weeds.
• Use fire as a management tool for controlling weeds.
• Control Turbina infestations, particularly along waterways.

2. Water

We will enhance the quality of our water and the condition of our waterways.

Our waterways support our rural and urban communities, bringing social, economic, cultural and environmental benefits to our Local Landscape.

It’s vital that we manage the condition of our waterways so we can continue to enjoy their values now and into the future.

Examples of our priority actions include:

• Protect and maintain the health of waterways, including from introduced pest fish and weeds.
• Conduct erosion control activities to minimise sediment runoff into waterways.
• Manage water use and supply to ensure good quality water is available for rural, urban and environmental purposes.

3. Sustainable Industries

Our region’s industries will be sustainable, diverse and resilient, supporting our communities and natural environments.

Our local industries are the backbone of the vibrant communities in our Local Landscape and contribute significantly to the regional economy.  We have a diverse range of agricultural and tourist industries, which are dependent on a healthy natural resource base.  There are many ways we can support local industries and enable them to continue to manage the resources they rely on.

Examples of our priority actions include:

• Support local industry through initiatives like local markets, innovation support, value adding, regional branding and knowledge transfer.
• Develop and support local natural and cultural tourism initiatives.

Other priorities:

Within our Local Landscape, there are a number of other initiatives we also strongly support, including:

• Develop a community driven roadmap for local climate change initiatives.
• Support community groups to ensure they have the capacity to continue operating and delivering outcomes for the local community.
• Protect the social and environmental values of Bicentennial Lakes.
• Foster improved partnerships and collaboration between all NRM stakeholders.
• Conduct education to raise awareness of local sustainability issues and actions.

For more detail on the priority actions identified by the community for our Local Landscape, click on this link.