Five year Community Investment Agreement – the Hotham-Williams Rivers & Tributaries‘ Natural Resource Management and Conservation Project.
Project implemented: 2017
Strengthen integrated and community-led catchment management across the Hotham-Williams region in Western Australia
It will support long-term water system health and sustainable shared use of resources
Employment of a Landcare officer to oversee activities in the Hotham-Williams Catchment.
Plan will capture cultural perspectives and identify new studies needed to understand river health & inform future research
The project will capture and incorporate traditional ecological knowledge into catchment planning.
Deliver a range of biosecurity initiatives, including education and training of communities and landholders.
Involve local community in integrated catchment management through workshops and skills development activities.
The Community Investment Agreement, developed following years of cooperation and collaboration, enables Newmont to support PHCC to develop and deliver activities to enhance integrated catchment management in the region. Community involvement, including participation by local Traditional Owners, farmers and community groups, is an important aspect of the program.
In addition, Newmont’s funding to support the employment of NRM officers enabled PHCC to attract other significant funding for on-ground and engagement works. This additional support would have been unlikely if PHCC had to also build in the costs of an officer to deliver them. The investment has also helped support other local groups to attract investment.
In 2017, PHCC and Newmont built on their long-term relationship to establish a new five-year Community Investment Agreement – the Hotham-Williams Rivers & Tributaries‘ Natural Resource Management and Conservation Project. This enables Newmont to support PHCC to manage and deliver projects aimed at strengthening catchment management across the Hotham-Williams region.
The partnership will enable host communities, Aboriginal Elders and groups, Landcare groups and farmers to develop their own priorities and approach to catchment management. It also exemplifies cross-sector engagement between various organisations to support social capital and ensure local ownership and decision.