Beechworth Urban Landcare and Sustainability

Title: Strategic Planning Meeting re Sustainability with Ann Roberts, Sustainability Victoria Location: The Rectory, opp Beechworth Neighbourhood Centre Description: Following on from our discussion at the AGM re our 2030 Vision for Indigo Shire we are having a strategic planning meeting to help us formulate a plan to achieve these goals in the future. Come and join the discussion and share a meal with us. Light meal provided RSVP Donna on 03 5728 3238 or Joy on 03 5728 1413

Start Time: 18:00 Date: Thursday November 24th NEW DATE

Title: BULS planning meeting – Biodiversity programs Location: Rectory, Ford St Beechworth (next to Christ Church). Description: We hope to put together an overarching rehab/reveg plan that shows priority areas within our landcare boundary. One of the biodiversity staff members from DSE Wodonga will be there to help us set priorities and strategies for on-ground works in line with threatened species, habitats, degraded high weed areas etc. This will then help us target our funding applications. RSVP Donna on 03 5728 3238 or Joy on 03 5728 1413 Light supper included Start Time: 19:00 Date: 2011-11-14

The Beechworth Sustainability planning meeting for 2011 was held on December 9th at the Beechworth Neighbourhood Centre. In spite of the small attendance (8 people, plus 3 apologies received) we had some good conversations and ideas about how to move the group forward,  and the events we might have in 2011.

During the meeting:

• Charlie R talked about the evolution of the Sustainability Group, and the formation of the Shire’s Environmental Advisory Group, which is now covering many of the areas that our original 4 groups were looking at
• Gabrielle gave a run down of the 2010 events, plus a short presentation on the key themes of the survey results
• Joy spoke about the relationship between Beechworth Landcare and Beechworth Sustainability (they are our auspicing body and therefore provide important insurance cover for our events), and about the new funding arrangements for Landcare (less money) and the implications for the future
• We had a general brainstorming session about the kinds of events that we might have in 2011

There was also a discussion about how to provide more structure to the group in 2011. Our original idea was to form an informal “events” committee to help spread the workload of organising and publicising events. Unfortunately given the small turn out this wasn’t feasible. However, Joy indicated there were 2 spare committee places on the Landcare committee, and that perhaps one or 2 people would like to serve on the Landcare committee as “Sustainability Representatives” – Charlie S and Gabrielle volunteered, and this will be taken to the next Landcare meeting for approval. Charlie R is already on the Landcare committee so will be an additional  “Sustainability Representative”

Thank you everyone for your patience – the survey report is finally ready! Firstly a big thank you to everyone that took the time to complete the survey and provide useful feedback and some great ideas. Overall we had 30 completed surveys – as our mailing list is just over 100 and includes people from outside our region this is a very pleasing response.

Regarding the group, most people think that there is room to improve in the way that the group is running, and most (79%) think that Beechworth Sustainability should become a more formal group.

There is no consensus of opinion on merging the group with landcare, with 46% against and 54% in favour. There were some strong opinions expressed about this idea (see report). These results indicate that it is probaly time for a meeting to discuss our options more fully and see what kind of formal group structure will work best to increase participation and keep the group moving. There does not seem to be an appetite for another formal committee structure, although many respondents feel that some more structure in the group would alllow us to build a good events calendar and promote the group and events more effectively, rather than relying on the spare time of just a few volunteers to organise everything. There were several good suggestions from respondents including

• issue-based working groups for more specific time-limited projects
• a spokesperson and a more informal ‘steering group’
• more regular meetings to discuss ideas
• meeting to discuss the direction given the work of the Shire’s Environmental Advisory Committee and sub-groups

When it comes to topics we have a broad range of interests. It’s great to see so  many are interested in growing fruit and veg, and building sustainable communities!

People are most interested in “hands on” style events, house/garden tours and hearing from other locals that have made sustainability-related changes.

Thanks to those that provided some feedback on the website – I’m looking at incorporating as many of your suggestions as possible. I have already added a weather module to the site to provide weather information. A quarterly newsletter is a great idea, but we would need volunteers to provide content.

Download the pdf of the report for the full responses to the survey.

If you have any questions about the survey or the report please email us .