Threat to local Landcare – help needed now

Southern New England Landcare (SNELC) has been operating since 1993, and with the partnerships developed by our members, supporters and State and Federal funders, gas achieved some amazing outcomes for our region through Landcare works and educational activities.

SNELC may not be here after June this year unless there is some continuity of state government funding.

There are major reforms announced which will have significant impact on the local Landcare support organisation and the Landcare movement across the state. A new organisation is planned ‘Local Land Services’ (LLS) to administer the merged services currently provided by the CMAs, LHPAs and parts of NSW DPI to commence in January 2014.

Without some security of funding to cover this 6 month period, the corporate knowledge and skills contained in the SNELC network will be impossible to retain or re-establish under the LLS.

Sustainable Living Armidale receives support from SNELC in the form of office space and meeting rooms, and SLA people are invited to support SNELC in this crisis.

The next SNELC meeting will be on Wednesday 20th February at Uralla Community Centre, Hill Street, at 6.30pm, please let the SNELC office know if you will be attending (6772 9123).

The community consultation by the reference panel for this new body (LLS) involves meetings, and the nearest to Armidale is at Glen Innes on February 26th at 3.30pm to 6.30pm to be held at the Glen Innes and District Services Club, 120 Grey Street, Glen Innes. Again, contact the SNELC office if you intend to go, for possible car pooling.