Joint Communique

Representatives of the National Landcare Network (NLN) and Landcare Australia (LA) met in Sydney on 13 November 2019 to further conversations that have been taking place since early 2017 about a creating new single national Landcare organisation.

Chairman of the National Landcare Network, Patrick O’Connor with NLN directors, Stephanie Cameron (NSW), Geoff Elliot (Qld), and Jim Adams (CEO) joined Landcare Australia Chair, Doug Humann and directors, Jan Davis and Rachel Gatehouse with Shane Norrish (CEO).

Importantly, the meeting reaffirmed the intent of each party to achieve a single voice for Landcare and to modify the existing Landcare Australia Constitution as the basis for doing this. 

Whilst it was agreed that this should not be rushed, it was also agreed that momentum should be maintained and that the parties would work towards 1 July 2020 as the date for the first meeting of a newly constituted Board of Landcare Australia under a new Constitution which recognises the membership and role of the NLN and state and territory organisations.

All parties recognised that Australia needs the Landcare movement more than ever, and the new organisation should support the movement to grow and develop stronger capacity to tackle pressing environmental and resource management issues into the future.

It was also agreed that there is an important place and need for additional members in the new entity.  Although this will be a provision of the Constitution, the new entity will initially focus on establishing and embedding the existing members, their operating capability and a new culture.  New members would naturally be representative of the Landcare movement and be organisations that reflect the Landcare movement at an international or national level.  It is anticipated that local and regional organisations would more appropriately become members of their respective state and territory organisation.

Working back from the proposed date of the first meeting of a new Board on 1 July 2020, the first activity which the parties intend is to draft a vision and intent document, alongside a values statement and transition plan.  Much of this work has already been commenced and discussed.

It was also agreed to hold a meeting of state and territory CEOs (or equivalent) together with Patrick, Doug, Jim and Shane, tentatively scheduled for 15 February 2020, to discuss operational issues connected with a new entity.  This would look at the opportunities for state and territory organisations under these new arrangements and how all the parties would “mesh” in their activities for the benefit of the entire Landcare movement.

Regular joint communications such as this to STOs and the wider community providing updates on progress are also intended.

Doug Humann AM                                                                                Patrick O’Connor

Chairman | Landcare Australia                                                           Chairman | National Landcare Network