FAQ

1. Do we have a local person/contact ?

Our Catchment Officers are your local CMA contacts.  They are located in each district office. Their roles include: 

1. Encouraging and coordinating capacity building to raise the community's level of skill, motivation and general awareness of catchment issues.
2. Promoting community involvement in planning.
3. Providing natural resource management information and advice to land managers.
4. Assisting individuals and groups to adopt best practice methods.
5. Developing partnerships with the community.

All our staff are available to take inquiry from individual community members and landholders, group representatives and other stakeholders.  The Lachlan CMA Catchment Officers are locally based and have knowledge and skills pertaining to local issues.

2. Will CMA staff attend our Community Group Meetings ?

Yes.  CMA staff will attend your community meetings upon request and where you require them to provide specific information. If you have meetings regularly and request a CMA staff member to attend each meeting, they will whenever they can.  However, if we can;t make it we will forward on any updates or pertinent information so that it can be presented at your meeting. How often our staff attend meetings, is left to their discretion.  Sometimes meetings are late at night and a long way from home, so to assist us getting staff home safely you could ask a staff member to speak at the beginning of the agenda or possibly hold afternoon or morning meetings.

3. Can the CMA help organise a Field Day ?

Staff from the CMA currently coordinate training and extension activities such as field days, workshops, bus trips and education days that are relevant to natural resource management in your region. We are able to assist your group to organise a specific event that addresses natural resource management and will make every effort to attend events organised by partner organisations.

4. How can I find out about funding opportunities ?

Staff will direct community groups, other interested parties and individuals towards potential funding, sponsorship or project opportunities through our website, regular newspaper articles, radio spot on ABC and newsletters.  Where appropriate the CMA may hold public information sessions for large scale funding opportunities including CMA Incentives.  You can also phone or visit your local CMA office to speak directly to a CMA staff member.

5. Will CMA staff assist me to plan and develop projects for funding ?

Of course!  CMA staff are available to assist community groups and individuals to develop projects for funding from the CMA, Envirofund, National Landcare Program, Environmental Trust etc.  Staff can assist groups and individuals to identify issues, plan potential projects and provide information about funding opportunities.

6. Can CMA staff help compile my funding application ?

CMA staff can review written funding applications and offer advice on how to improve your funding application.  Unfortunately their time is limited and therefore they are not available to write applications on your behalf. 

7. Will someone from the CMA act as a referee for my project application ?

Many CMA staff are skilled in project development and coordination and may act as a referee in that capacity.  If you are seeking a technical referee, some staff are also skilled in various technical aspects of environmental projects.  However the CMA staff can only act as technical referees for projects which are assessed externally to the CMA e.g. Envirofund.

8. Can I get a 'letter of support' for my funding proposal from the CMA ?

The CMA will support projects, which align with the objectives and targets set in the Catchment Blueprint.  We can provide 'letters of support' for funding proposal's external to the CMA process e.g. Envirofund.  We have developed a quick request sheet for 'letters of support'.  You can outline how your project addresses the relevant objectives and targets in your request.  Your request will then be registered with the CMA and forwarded to a Catchment Coordinator for approval.

9. Can the CMA administer our Individual or Group Projects ?

Generally the CMA cannot administer your individual or group projects in relation to disseminating funds, reporting or organising the logistics to implement projects, e.g. ordering materials and arranging contractors.  However if you or your group is having difficultly in administering existing projects, let the CMA know, we may be able to assist in some way.  For the benefit of our whole catchment, the CMA wants every project occurring in the Lachlan to be the best that it possibly can be and to achieve the outcomes intended.

10. Can someone from the Lachlan CMA come out to my farm and give me NRM advice ?

Yes. Staff are available to conduct site visits upon inquiry from individual landholders or groups with regard to natural resource management issues. Where appropriate staff can conduct rudimentary water and soil testing and offer technical advice (see below).

11. Does the Lachlan CMA provide technical advice ?

All Lachlan CMA staff can provide a level of extension advice regarding natural resource management issues within the Lachlan Catchment.  However, specialist staff within the CMA can provide technical advice to landholders on more specific issues, eg. stabilising river or creek banks.  To determine the viability of a project these staff can assist landholders with concept design. Detailed works design and costings can then be obtained through private contractors e.g. design and costings for environmental earthworks or stock water supply.

12. How do I get assistance with Property and Sub-Catchment Planning ?

The Lachlan CMA aims to encourage land managers to plan the operation of heir enterprise as a whole, and to view their property as part of the total catchment. Accredited training providers are able to provide Farm Planning workshops enabling the production of a physical, 'whole of farm' plan. Sub- catchment planning for groups is also available.

13. Are there opportunities for Training ?

The Lachlan CMA recognises the importance of enhancing skills and knowledge of techniques required to implement and manage natural resource management projects by providing educational opportunities (through accredited providers) that are directly linked to our program areas of land, water, vegetation or Aboriginal Cultural Heritage.

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