South West NRM CEO Dr Manda Page (second right) with (from left) Rangelands NRM CEO Debra Tarabini. Northern Agricultural Catchments Council CEO Katherine Allen,
NRMWA CEO Darren Forster, WA Senator Dean Lewis, Wheatbelt NRM CEO Renata Paliskis, ACT Senator David Pocock and Rangelands NRM Vice Chair John Hart.
South West NRM joined a delegation of its WA counterparts, led by State peak body NRMWA, to Parliament House in Canberra on Wednesday for the ‘Partnering for Prosperity’ reception.
Held in the Senate Courtyard, the reception showcased to Senators and Members of Parliament how Australian Government priorities are being delivered on the ground across WA through trusted regional NRM teams.
The event was hosted by the office of Senator Slade Brockman – Deputy President of the Senate, co-convened by WA Senator Varun Ghosh and emceed by WA Senator Dean Smith.
Attendees included Assistant Minister for Resources, Regional Development and Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Senator Anthony Chisholm; ACT Senator David Pocock; O’Connor MHR Rick Wilson; and Curtin MHR Kate Chaney, together with other Senators and Members of Parliament.
Protecting WA’s environment
Speaking at the event, Senator Varun Ghosh said: “Western Australia has the most beautiful and diverse natural environment in the world. It is vital for the health and prosperity of our great state that our environment is protected for future generations.”
South West NRM Chief Executive Officer Dr Manda Page was at the event and took the opportunity to highlight current work being undertaken to protect and improve the condition of three Ramsar wetlands, prevent the extinction of threatened species, identify and improve the health of important peatlands, trial nature-based approaches to management of climate-driven disasters and support farmers with remaining profitable in a changing climate while improving sustainability credentials.
South West NRM has also helped test biodiversity stewardship approaches as one of six national pilot regions, giving the region practical experience relevant to the Nature Repair Market.
Dr Page said securing stable funding for NRM organisations in WA was essential because ecological recovery and community trust take years to build.
Importance of secure funding
South West NRM’s current Federal funding arrangement was due to expire in June, 2028 – along with the other NRMs around Australia – so work needed to start now on future planning and ensuring there would be no lag between funding cycles.
“If funding stops, the impact reaches well beyond individual projects,” Dr Page said.
“Monitoring is interrupted, skilled people leave the region and landholders lose the local support they rely on. The environmental damage can take years to repair, particularly in wetlands, threatened species habitat and fire-affected landscapes.
“The South West is internationally important, but it is also a working landscape. Protecting biodiversity, water and soil supports regional jobs, agriculture, tourism and the wellbeing of our communities. “
WA Senator Dean Smith said long-term investment in healthy soils, water and resilient landscapes supported regional communities and the broader economy.
“Good natural resource management is also good economic policy, because healthy soils, sustainable water resources and resilient landscapes underpin productive agriculture, strong regional communities and Western Australia’s long-term prosperity,” Senator Smith said.
Reflecting on the event
Dr Page said the reception and portfolio briefs were well received and helped explain the breadth of regional NRM delivery.
“Regional NRM work often happens quietly, in paddocks, wetlands, forests and local communities,” Dr Page said.
“We need regular conversations with government so decision-makers understand the people, evidence and partnerships behind the results.
“The conversations in Canberra were constructive. The next step is to turn that interest into a clear program of work that protects capability in the South West and keeps delivery moving between funding rounds.”
Learn more about South West NRM’s work by visiting our Current Projects page.