Nyngan locals came out in large numbers to meet Central West Catchment Management Authority (CMA) board members and discuss natural resource management issues at the community consultation meeting held last Thursday night at the Nyngan RSL Civic Club.

“It was pleasing to see over 40 local leaders and community members make the effort to engage with the CMA board members and senior staff to discuss local issues,” Central West CMA chairman Tom Gavel said.

“The Nyngan community is recognised as a very active and environmentally concerned group and it is satisfying to see the trust and partnership develop over the last few years.

“The Central West CMA looks forward to working together with the local community to improve the management of water, land, biodiversity and vegetation in the area.”

This meeting also

provided the Central West CMA with the opportunity to launch Geoff Cunningham’s report Listening to the Managers.

This documents landholders’ knowledge, experience and observations in managing invasive native scrub - a serious issue in the Nyngan district.

Varying the location of the Central West CMA board meetings throughout the catchment has proved to be a great success for board members and senior staff in extending community networks, gaining insight and increasing understanding of local natural resource management issues.

“We hold every second board meeting in a different town in the central west catchment as it gives a better feel of our

communities and their environmental concerns,” Mr Gavel said.

Community views and feedback is an important indicator to the Central West CMA in gauging whether services and financial investments are targeted correctly and meeting catchment needs.

The board plans to conduct similar meetings in other towns throughout 2008, enabling them to stay in touch with the catchment community and natural resource management issues.

“I would like to thank the Nyngan community for the warm welcome extended to the Central West CMA board and staff and we look forward to many more opportunities to discuss local natural resource priorities,” Mr Gavel said.

The Central West CMA provides support to landholders and community groups by investing in natural resource management projects and practical

training to better manage catchment’s natural resources.

Visit the Central West CMA site and talk to staff at the Nyngan Ag Expo, or contact the Nyngan CMA office for any natural resource management services, information and issues.

Alternatively, visit www.cw.cma.nsw.gov.au

The complete Listening to the Managers report is also available from this site.