Overview
Minister's Foreword
On behalf of the Board and staff, I would like to welcome you to the website for the Central West Catchment Management Authority (CMA).The Central West Catchment includes the Macquarie, Castlereagh and Bogan river catchments, and covers a total area of 84,842 km2 (8.5 million hectares).
The catchment supports a variety of towns, cities and industries. The catchment area also has a number of natural resource assets such as national parks, culturally significant areas and the internationally recognised Macquarie Marshes on the Macquarie River.
This area supports a vast range of native flora and fauna species – some are listed as threatened or endangered – across the length and breadth of the catchment.
The Central West CMA was formed in 2004 to provide a local approach to targeting investment in natural resource management for the catchment.
This website contains information about how the Central West CMA works in partnership with landholders, communities, government and industry for large-scale targeted investment in natural resources.
There are case studies, best management practice documents, information about the latest events and incentives to help you or your group to manage land within the Central West catchment, or learn more about natural resource initiatives, to help achieve our vision of vibrant communities and healthy landscapes. I invite you to browse this website and contact the staff at the Central West CMA to learn more about how you can become involved in preserving our way of life, our landscapes and our cultural heritage in the Central West
The Catchment
The Central West Catchment is located in central western New South Wales and includes the Castlereagh, Bogan and Macquarie River valleys. The catchment covers an area of 84,842 km2, from the central tablelands around Oberon, Bathurst and Rylstone to the western plains around Nyngan and Coonamble. It is home to approximately 185,000 people and supports the major centres of Bathurst, Orange, Mudgee and Dubbo.
The catchment is home to a wide variety of vegetation, landforms and communities. A total 551 animal species have been recorded in the Central West Catchment, inhabiting 82 broad vegetation types. Geological formations throughout the catchment are complex and have a significant impact how best to manage the area’s natural resources.
The catchment also has a rich cultural history with Aboriginal people having been in the catchment for over 40,000 years prior to the first settlement of Europeans. Farming commenced in the early to mid 1800’s and the catchment is known as a grain growing area and is home to hundreds of horticulture and fruit producers, as well as many sheep, beef and poultry farms.
Our Role
The Central West Catchment Management Authority (CMA) is one of 13 organisations that were established under the Catchment Management Authorities Act 2003
CMAs work with regional communities to restore and improve natural resources. CMAs are responsible for ensuring that decisions about natural resource management are made within the catchment.
The Central West CMA involves local communities and key stakeholders to encourage the development of resilient landscapes. The CMA ensures that the knowledge and expertise within the catchment is used to help the landscape function to its fullest and at its most productive whilst maintaining its resilience.
Central West CMA is responsible for:
- Preparing and implementing catchment action plans and associated investment strategies
- Managing incentive programs that implement the catchment action plan
- Working with the community in developing and implementing the catchment action plan.
The CMA is also a consent authority under the Native Vegetation Act 2003
CMAs are funded by the NSW Government, with additional support from the Australian Government.
Our Vision
Vibrant communities and healthy landscapes.
Our Mission
To work with the community to conserve, improve and manage natural and cultural resources.
Our Guiding Values
- Leadership – we are committed to, and will lead, natural resource management improvements in the catchment.
- Integrity – we are accountable, ethical, honest, fair, courageous and loyal.
- Transparency – we communicate well and are open, accessible and accountable internally and to our stakeholders and customers.
- Focus – we deliver on our commitments internally and to our stakeholders and customers.
- Quality – we are strategic, innovative and continually improve.
- Collaboration – we operate in partnership internally and with our stakeholders and customers.
- Enjoyment – we recognise our successes and provide a safe, rewarding and family friendly workplace.
Last Updated: 31-Aug-2011 02:22 PM