About Us
The Lachlan CMA is one of 13 CMAs established under the Catchment Management Authorities Act 2003, which came into force on 23 January 2004 across NSW under broad statewide reforms that resulted from the recommendations of the Native Vegetation Reform Implementation Group. These reforms were to ensure that regional communities have a significant say in how natural resources are managed in their catchments. CMAs are statutory authorities guided by responsible, accountable Boards and supported by qualified and experienced staff. The Board reports directly to the NSW Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, Ms Carmel Tebbutt.
The Lachlan CMA Board consists of 7 community members and a General Manager, who together provide a range of experience, skills and knowledge in areas such as primary production, cultural heritage, biodiversity conservation, business administration and governance. A locally based Board ensures that when issues relating to natural resource management need to be addressed, they can be dealt with by people who know the Catchment and understand the implications of decisions.
The specific functions of the Lachlan CMA are described in Section 15 of the Catchment Management Authorities Act 2003 are:
• to develop catchment action plans and to give effect to any such approved plans through annual implementation programs,
• to provide loans, grants, subsidies or other financial assistance for the purposes of the catchment activities it is authorised to fund,
• to enter contracts or do work for the purposes of the catchment activities it is authorised to carry out,
• to assist landholders to further the objectives of its catchment action plan (including providing information about native vegetation),
• to provide educational and training courses and materials in connection with natural resource management,
• to exercise any other function relating to natural resource management as is prescribed by the regulations.