Capability Statement (2007)

Transcription

1 Capability Statement (2007) March 2013

2 Vision Community understanding, caring and rehabilitation of wetland environments. Mission Restoring wetlands of the Murray-Darling Basin and improving the management of wetlands throughout the catchment by linking community involvement with best scientific understanding. Background Murray Darling Wetlands Ltd. was established in May 2009 and commenced operation in May 2010 as an initiative of the NSW Murray Wetlands Working Group Inc (MWWG). At the 2012 AGM of Murray Darling Wetlands Ltd., the Board of the Company and the Executive of the MWWG, resolved to merge the two organisations because the role of the Working Group is now fully assumed by the Company. In recognition of the history and profile of the Working Group, it was resolved that the merged organisation would be re-named Murray Darling Wetlands Working Group Ltd. Murray Darling Wetlands Ltd. is registered as an Australian public company limited by guarantee, established under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). Murray Darling Wetlands Working Group Ltd. exists to implement sound, scientifically-based restoration works, monitoring and reporting of wetland restoration and management activities, to restore and improve wetland health within the inland catchments of the Murray-Darling Basin. The company is a not-for-profit organisation registered under the Australian Securities and Investments Commission as a charity. It has a Board of Directors and members from the wider community, including scientists, landholders, conservationists, Murray Darling Association and The Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre. It has Deductible Gift Recipient Status and is registered on the Australian Commonwealth Government Register of Environmental Organisations and as a non-profit company Murray Darling Wetlands Working Group Ltd. seeks corporate and public donations as well as donations of water for wetland and environmental uses. Murray Darling Wetlands Working Group Ltd. is committed to building community support for wetland restoration, management and research, by linking corporate donations, management expertise and community participation in restoration projects. Murray Darling Wetlands Working Group Ltd. has established a public fund for the specific purpose of supporting environmental objectives of the organisation. Murray Darling Wetlands Working Group Capability Statement 1 P a g e

3 Governance issues The Company had 55 members at 30 June Registered Business Office: 491 Smollett Street, Albury NSW 2640 ACN: ABN: Auditor: Mr Dougald Frederick, Chartered Accountant Insurance: Association Liability Insurance through Vero Profin GST Status: Registered for GST Deductible Gift Recipient Endorsed under Subdivision 30-BA of the Income Tax Assessment Act As a company limited by guarantee, Murray Darling Wetlands Working Group Ltd. is responsible for compliance in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). A detailed Annual Report and financial report are produced each year and under taxation law, BAS returns are lodged on a quarterly basis. Major achievements The following provides a summary of achievements of Murray Darling Wetlands Working Group Ltd. and its predecessors. Year Major Activity Launch of new website. Wetlands Unlimited (seasonal e-newsletter) launched. Project partnerships commenced with Murray CMA and former Lower Murray Darling CMA (now Murray CMA) Formation of Murray Darling Wetlands Working Group Ltd Facilitated environmental watering of Darling Anabranch and Lake Gol Gol Established Water Trust Alliance with key NGO s Formation of Murray Darling Wetlands Ltd (Company) the not-for-profit business arm of the Working Group. Awarded Global Restoration Network Top 25 Australasian Ecological Restoration Projects for Watering Wetlands on Private Properties Murray Valley, New South Wales, Australia. Delivery of 9000 ML into 11 wetlands areas. Joint project with Water for Rivers to rehabilitate Wanganella Swamp Winner of National Riverprize Grant received from National Water Commission to investigate acid sulfate in inland wetlands. 9 on-ground landholder wetland rehabilitation projects delivered. River Murray Wetland Database Atlas produced. Murray Darling Wetlands Working Group Capability Statement 2 P a g e

4 Year Major Activity 16 on-ground landholder wetland rehabilitation projects delivered. Publication of River Murray Wetlands Database. 10,415 ML of Adaptive Environmental Water (AEW) distributed into 28 wetland areas. 21 on-ground landholder wetland rehabilitation projects delivered. 16,795 ML of AEW distributed into 43 wetland areas. 20,210 ML of AEW distributed into 39 wetlands. 34 on-ground landholder projects wetland rehabilitation projects delivered. 10,610 ML of AEW distributed into 46 wetlands. Assessment of Murray Wetlands flow requirements. NSW Lower Murray Darling Wetland Rehabilitation. Wetlands Watch field monitoring guide for landholders and the community published ML of AEW distributed into 12 wetlands. Murray Catchment Sustainable Wetland Management began. Management of 30,000 ML of AEW began. 30,000 ML of AEW piggy-backed onto Barmah-Millewa Environmental Release. Upper Murray and Billabong Creek Wetland Mapping. 10 Incentives for rehabilitation of wetlands on private property via NHT funding. Management of Moira Water Savings began. Rehabilitation of Thegoa Lagoon on-ground landholder projects delivered through NHT Rehabilitation of Croppers Lagoon via infrastructure Preliminary Groundwater Investigation for Gol Gol Wetland Rehabilitation of Moira Lake. Proposed Hydrological Management Plan for the Gulpa Creek system Poon Boon Lakes Preliminary Hydrological Study NSW Murray Wetlands Working Group (Working Group) formed. Gol Gol Wetlands: Options for rehabilitation and hydrologic management. Murray Darling Wetlands Working Group Capability Statement 3 P a g e

5 Current and Completed Projects N Darling River Kilometers NSW SA # MILD URA Murrumbidgee River Murray River Ú # SW AN HILL Edward River # Billabong Creek DENILIQ UIN Ê VIC Loddon River ECHUCA # ALBUR Y # Murray River Ovens River Kiewa River Campaspe River Goulburn River Mitta Mitta River Contact us Location of projects managed or initiated by the MDWWG Dr Deborah Nias CEO Murray Darling Wetlands Working Group Ltd PO Box 7016 East Albury NSW 2640 Phone: debnias@murraydarlingwetlands.com.au Murray Darling Wetlands Working Group Capability Statement 4 P a g e

6 What the MDWWG does CAPABILITY STATEMENT The Staff and Directors of Murray Darling Wetlands Working Group Ltd. have over 20 years of experience in wetland and environmental flow management. The Group offers the following services: Assessment and prioritisation of wetlands for rehabilitation or management, or for receiving environmental flows Preparation of detailed management plans Supervision and monitoring of on-ground works Public consultation and awareness raising services Professional consultancy in wetlands assessment and management Liaison and community engagement Review of environmental watering plans and wetland management plans Professional advice relating to water and wetland management. The Group provides Technical advice on wetland issues and management through our extensive membership Publications and reports from 20 years of management and experience Extensive networks within and across catchments of the Murray-Darling Basin Highly professional management, reporting and accountability The Group has a voluntary membership and Board. We operate with a small, professional and well trained group of staff making projects happen on the ground. Murray Darling Wetlands Working Group Capability Statement 5 P a g e

7 The Groups expertise covers Wetland rehabilitation including fish, water birds and frog habitat Project Management Environmental flows Wetland policy Monitoring and adaptive management Community education and awareness Integration within terrestrial landscape Integration across catchments Community engagement. What makes us different? We offer a community credible voice as an independent, award-winning group. The Working Group is able to steer landholders through the complex web of legislation required to implement wetland rehabilitation projects. The Working Group can broker situations with community, government and industry and can attract philanthropic or corporate sponsors and apply for funds restricted to community groups. The Working Group has developed strong interstate relations and has co-ordinated activities across two catchments and other states for a whole of river approach (e.g. providing flows to Chowilla Floodplain, being on the Regional committee on Lake Victoria). Due to the Lower Murray Darling connection with the Murrumbidgee, the Working Group is able to understand what differentiates the Lower Murray-Darling and develop appropriate strategies for environmental rehabilitation and flows. The Working Group specialises in on-ground outcomes and management of environmental flows, including: Development of management plans Restoration of wetting and drying cycles Protection and re-establishment of aquatic and riparian vegetation Education material and scientific data Engaging community, business and landholder commitment Monitoring programs River Murray Wetlands Database commence-to-flow thresholds. Murray Darling Wetlands Working Group Capability Statement 6 P a g e

8 How we build community support and transfer knowledge Website and Facebook Newsletters Wetlands Watch monitoring field guide River Murray Wetlands Database Atlas Wetland Management Plans Consultancy reports Scientific reports and publications General media articles Guidelines Community meetings and engagement Indigenous engagement Workshops, conferences and seminars. Murray Darling Wetlands Working Group Capability Statement 7 P a g e

9 What we are proud of The Working Group is especially proud of: Its use of science and/or expert scientific opinion to underpin wetland management and environmental flows Its ability to adapt and be flexible a can do attitude Strong advocacy for wetland rehabilitation at local, catchment and national level Effectively raising community awareness concerning the value of wetlands Effective community engagement Forging positive alliances with government, community, industry and Local Government Dedicated, highly specialised staff Community-based organisation Independence, which allows for decisions without fear or favour Strong networks Experienced and dedicated Board. Murray Darling Wetlands Working Group Capability Statement 8 P a g e

10 Reporting and Quality Assurance The MDWWG is committed to quality reporting on its activities on a regular basis. The Group produces: Quarterly e-newsletters Annual Operating Plans for the management of AEW Annual Report Annual Independent Financial Audit Project specific reports Scientific publications for peer review. Our internal Technical Group develops and reviews projects to ensure technical and scientific quality. Scientific papers are submitted to appropriate journals and receive peer review before publication. This represents a commitment to quality assurance and best management practice, setting high standards for a community based organisation. The results of projects are presented at various scientific fora to receive peer review and feedback. Staff maintain and improve their knowledge base by attending training, workshops, seminars and conferences. Murray Darling Wetlands Working Group Capability Statement 9 P a g e