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NORTHERN SLOPES LANDCARE    |    JULY 2021

IN THIS EDITION

Latest News      Upcoming events     Could this be for you?   Cactus news     Mice control information    Funding opportunities and flood relief     Skills training   Membership Renewals now due

Latest News

Office COVID19 arrangements

Due to the current COVID19 outbreak, some Northern Slopes Landcare Staff will be working from home over the coming weeks.  If you need to see one of our staff, please contact them to arrange a suitable time. All visitors to our office will need to complete and electronic sign in (don't worry, we can assist you with this if required).  Everyone entering our office will also be required to wear a mask at all times.

Rachel Dorney       0474 888 265       email  ralf@nsla.net.au                   
Penny Kelly            0438 353 682       email  coordinator@nsla.net.au 
Shelley McDouall   0474 887 982       email  admin@nsla.net.au 
Jo-Anna Skewes    0438 353 519       email  nwcactus@nsla.net.au 
 

Justin Kirkby -  Finalist for The Bob Hawke Landcare Award
&
Justin and Lorroi Kirkby - Finalists in the National Landcare Farmer of the Year Award

Countdown is on!  National Award winners will be announced next Thursday, 5th August at the online National Landcare Conference.  To register to attend this free online event, go to National Landcare Conference and Awards - National Landcare Conference

Good luck Justin and Lorroi

Regional Agricultural Landcare Facilitator - Rachel Dorney

This week we hear from our new Regional Agricultural Landcare Facilitator Rachel Dorney about her role and how she works with farmers, industry and community groups (including Landcare Groups) to adopt new and innovative sustainable agriculture practices. 
Rachel is based in Bingara and works alongside LLS staff to help establish and build partnerships with these key groups. 👉 Rachel can be contacted on 0474 888 265 

North West Local Land Services - YouTube Video

Upcoming Events

Creating Confident Committees

New to a Landcare committee?  A Landcare volunteer who may be interested in joining a committee?  Current committee member just wanting some extra knowledge?  Come along to this free workshop
When: Tuesday 24th August from 10am- 2 pm - lunch provided
Where: The Living Classroom, Bingara.
Tickets FREE, Bookings strictly limited to 20 places due to COVID restrictions so BOOK NOW 

Biodiversity Conservation Trust Information Sessions

Information sessions about Biodiversity Stewardship Agreements

Register your interest in the BCT's information sessions about biodiversity stewardship agreements (BSAs). Information sessions will be held across regional NSW in August 2021. These information sessions will explain the steps involved in establishing a BSA and will be useful for all stakeholders involved in the process. Please encourage any of the following to register their interest.
Stakeholders include:
-    landholders 
-    accredited assessors
-    banks
-    accountants
-    solicitors
-    local councils and local government
-    agricultural consultants and advisors
-    real estate agents
-    other trusted advisors to primary producers and rural landholders. 
 
Date and locations include:
Monday 2 August    Coffs Harbour: 12- 3pm
Thursday 5 August    Moree: 10am -1pm
Friday 6 August    Narrabri 10am -1pm
Tuesday 10 August    Wagga Wagga: 10am – 1pm
Wednesday 11 August    Sydney: 12-3pm
Thursday 12 August    Dubbo: 10am - 1pm
Tuesday 17 August    Muswellbrook: 10am - 1pm
Wednesday 18 August    Newcastle 8am -11am
Tuesday 24 August    Queanbeyan: 10am – 1pm
25th  - 27th  August    SE locations TBA
 
Interested in hearing more? Register your interest.

Gravesend 100 Mile Long Lunch

Three course meal using local produce found 100 miles from Gravesend/
Saturday, 28th August at the Gravesend Recreation Ground from 1pm.
Tickets $85 - TryBooking.com/BIYZZ

National Landcare Conference - Now Free and Online
Featuring Costa Georgiadis as emcee!

Landcare Australia, together with the 2021 National Landcare Conference Steering Committee, host the 2021 National Landcare Conference from Thursday 5 to Friday 6 August as an online event.  Emcee Costa Georgiadis will be speaking from the International Convention Centre at Darling Harbour in Sydney. This event has been made possible due to the support of the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.

With Landcare champion Costa Georgiadis as the MC, the 2021 National Landcare Conference promises to be an inclusive and inspiring event for anyone who cares about conservation activities, sustainable land management practices and community wellbeing. The Conference will include speakers on bushfire recovery and community resilience, Landcare farming, wellbeing and mental health, and cultural land management. The session streams include Environment and Climate Change, Sustainable Farming, Landcare Impact and Community Partnerships in Action.

A highlight of the 2021 National Landcare Conference program is the National Landcare Awards, and this year due to COVID-19, the event will be held online. 

Graeme Sait returning to Bingara!

Soil Health and your Wealth
Author/educator/farmer, Graeme Sait, is an acclaimed speaker, whom also hosts the popular “Nutrition Farming Podcast”. Graeme is the author of hundreds of articles and two books. He has trained over 40,000 farmers and consultants on four continents and he often consults at Governmental level, as part of his contribution to the regenerative revolution. This workshop will focus upon practical, problem-solving strategies to boost productivity and profitability sustainably.  Save the Date - further information out soon!

Pulse of the Earth - a Festival of Regeneration

Friday 03 September 2021 to Sunday 05 September 2021 (BIANNUAL event)

A Festival celebrating regenerative agriculture, soil health, human wellness, arts and crafts with fresh local food, music, fun and family festivities.To be held in Bingara and centered around the wonderful facilities of The Living Classroom and the historical Roxy Theatre.

Featuring guest presenters: Lorraine Gordon, educator, philanthropist and Rural Woman of the Year, internationally acclaimed farmer, author and presenter Graeme Sait, veterinarian and author Dr. Gundi Rhoades, and Regenerative Agriculture Soil Consultant Geoff Bassett.

Could this be for you?

Are your VPIT accreditations up-to-date?

Our VPIT course is available anytime in the comfort of your own home. You can access the course online and complete your training when it suits you. Landholders need to complete the training to collect baits for feral pest control.
Save time and do it online. Click here to get started

Cactus news

The latest Cactus Quarterly is now available to download from our website. Read now

Why not sign up to the mailing list and receive the latest cactus news via email? Subscribe now

Check out some of the great cacti resources available to download from our website. View resources

Funding opportunities

North West Local Land Services 

Expressions of interest are now open for the first round of the NSW Fencing Northern Basin Riverbanks Project. The program will see a range of important works carried out, including the construction of 500km of riparian riverbank fencing, that will keep farm animals safe and improve water quality to sustain native fish populations.

To find out if you’re in an eligible LLS region and how to submit your expression of interest, head to https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/fnbr

This program is being delivered under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan by the NSW Government, through funding from the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment Graduates.

The Tackling Tough Times Together

(TTTT) grant program helps communities access the resources they need to support one another through the ongoing effects of the drought.

Grants are available for a broad range of grassroots, community-led initiatives that directly and clearly benefit local communities. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and assessed quarterly. 
Find out more >

Strengthening Rural Communities

The Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) program aims to give the thousands of small rural, regional and remote communities across Australia an opportunity to access funding to support broad community needs. 

Given the events of summer 2019/20, it has also been expanded to offer funding to support recovery in bushfire-affected communities. 

Grants are available for a broad range of grassroots, community-led initiatives that directly and clearly benefit local communities. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and assessed quarterly.
Find out more >

Flood Relief

The NSW and Australian Governments have announced assistance measures to support people who have been impacted by the March 2021 storms and floods. Assistance is now being provided to 63 local government areas in NSW through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Primary Producers

Primary producers recovering from the devastating impacts of floods are receiving vital support, with Special Disaster Grants of up to $75,000 announced.
Visit the RAA’s Declared Natural Disasters webpage for a full list of eligible LGAs.

Small Business Grants 

Grants of up to $50,000 will be available next week for small business owners and not-for-profit organisations through Service NSW.

The Disaster Customer Care Service on 13 77 88 or visit The NSW and Australian Governments have announced assistance measures to support people who have been impacted by the March 2021 storms and floods.

For more information contact the Disaster Customer Care Service on 13 77 88 or visit www.service.nsw.gov.au

Concessional loans 

Loans of up to $130,000 at a fixed concessional interest rate may be available to small businesses, primary producers and non-profits (subject to certain eligibility criteria) that have been directly impacted. 

Disaster Recovery Payment 

One-off financial assistance for individuals at a rate of $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child. Claims for this payment can be lodged with Services Australia for a period up to 6 months.

Disaster relief loans

A range of assistance is available to businesses. Visit the NSW Rural Assistance Authority or call 1800 678 593 for:

Primary producers – may be eligible for urgent loans at a concessional interest rate and transport subsidies for the carriage of livestock, fodder and supplements for dairy cattle.

Small businesses – urgent loans are available at a concessional interest rate to eligible small businesses.

Not-for-profit organisations – loan assistance is available to churches and voluntary not-for-profit organisations for the restoration of essential facilities.

Sporting clubs – a grant or a concessional fixed rate loan is available for sporting and recreation clubs and associations for clean-up, removal of debris and/or restoring essential facilities.

Disaster Recovery Allowance

A fortnightly income supplement that is available to primary producers and sole traders who have lost income as a direct result of the disaster. 

For more information on disaster and recovery assistance, visit Service NSW or phone 13 77 88 for assistance.  

Help for affected small businesses to meet their tax obligations. The ATO also offers assistance with meeting tax obligations for businesses impacted by floods. 

Mice Control Support

Service NSW - Eligible households and small businesses can now claim cash rebates through Service NSW to help cover the cost of mouse baits, traps and cleaning materials bought after 1 February, 2021.

Eligible households can claim up to $500. Eligible small businesses, including primary producers and sole traders, can claim up to $1,000.
Visit Service NSW Here for more information on eligibility and how to apply.

Rural Aid is offering primary producers in current mouse plague affected areas a one off $1000 pre-paid VISA card to assist during this disaster. Once we have received your completed application and we have verified you in our system, our team will review and process your application. Please note, for approved applications, the pre-paid VISA card may take up to four weeks to reach your destination depending on postal services. Contact Rural Aid Here 

Skills Training

Farm Business Resilience Program

This is a chance to get your farm headed in the right direction and creating the future that you want. Farmers will receive an expert coach who works with them and helps with their farming business, people and anything else that pops up. Coaching ensures you are heading in the right direction and creating the future you want on your farm. You'll get an experienced business coach that help set your goals and get you organised and motivated. Make it happen!  Coaching starts in August 2021 and will end in June 2022. 

Register Here 

Membership

Become a member of Northern Slopes Landcare and enjoy event discounts and receive regular newsletters and notifications on upcoming events and funding opportunities. Click on the button below to signup via our website.

BECOME A MEMBER NOW
The North West Landcare team pictured with NSW Landcare CEO, Dr Adrian Zammit.

Staff Contacts

Shelley McDouall
Coordinator/Office Manager 
0474 887 982 | admin@nsla.net.au

Penny Kelly
Coordinator
0438 353 682 | coordinator@nsla.net.au

Rachel Dorney
Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator
0474 888 265  |  ralf@nsla.net.au

Jo-Anna Skewes
North West Cacti Control Coordinator
0438 353 519 |  nwcactus@nsla.net.au

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