Community Involvement
Koori Catch Up
Source: Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority http://www.southern.cma.nsw.gov.au/pdf_kooricatchup/2008feb.pdf
Date: March 2008
Southern Rivers CMA have launched an Indigenous Natural Resource Newsletter. The Koori Catch Up provides information about the SRCMA that might be of interest to the Aboriginal community. It outlines the roles and responsibilities of the CMA, introduces the Koori Team that work for the CMA, and gives updates of regional events and funding opportunities. Future issues may contain stories from the SRCMA region, as well as other facts and fun.
The first edition of the Koori Catch Up explains the SRCMA approach as:
SRCMA believes that Natural Resource Management should light a path towards reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians. It acknowledges that the Aboriginal People are the Traditional Custodians of the land and is committed to actively involving and consulting Aboriginal communities on Natural Resource Management.
SRCMA acknowledges the Aboriginal people as the traditional owners of the land. Respect will always be offered in our interactions with Aboriginal communities and Individuals. This respect will be offered in the form of fair and equitable consultation with Aboriginal communities and the groups that represent them.
SRCMA has developed a Catchment Action Plan (CAP), which identifies the desired condition of natural resources, and sets out priority targets towards achieving this condition over ten years.
The CAP Community and Partnerships Management Target 3 states ‘From 2006, Indigenous communities are engaged in NRM planning and have sufficient resources and opportunities to “Care for Country”’. In response to this, SRCMA has three Aboriginal Community Support Officers (ACSO) and one Aboriginal Catchment Officer, with the directive to support and engage the Aboriginal community in Natural Resource Management Issues (NRM).
The Koori team’s focus is to explore the provision of opportunities and resources for Aboriginal Communities to become involved in environmental, cultural and heritage matters. The ACSO’s recognise that the best way to engage the community is to listen to them. This is your land and sea and we will try to take your direction on matters directly affecting your community. If you have an idea you would like to pursue, or just want some more information, contact your nearest ACSO. Give us a call we’re only to happy to have a yarn. The Koori team collectively have a range of experience and skills to help you achieve your aspirations in relation to Natural Resource management. “We can’t move mountains, but we will work with you to bring you closer to it”.
To read more of the Koori Catch Up go to:
http://www.southern.cma.nsw.gov.au/pdf_kooricatchup/2008feb.pdf
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