The ACT NRM Council’s 20^th meeting was held on Tuesday 28 July 2009.

Council is undertaking the assessment of ACT Environment Grant applications and providing advice to Minister Corbell. Applications for 2009/10 closed on 30 June 2009 and the assessment process is underway. Announcement of successful funding is expected by the end of August or early September 2009.

Although unsuccessful in the 2009-10 round of Caring for our Country contestable bids, Council commended all those who had been involved in developing the Greater Goorooyarroo Box-Gum Woodland Landscape Recovery and Getting Back to Country project proposals. Elements of the Indigenous partnership project are being introduced to other potential partners in the ACT. Council will have the opportunity to provide formal feedback to the Federal Government on the contestable bidding process at a workshop with stakeholders on 3^rd August 2009.

Council noted the progress of the ACT Landcare Awards which will be held on 10 September 2009. Nominations for the awards closed on 30 July 2009 and assessments have been completed.

There were presentations from Ms Belinda Green, Source Water Coordinator from ActewAGL Source Water Protection Program and Mr Dylan Kendall, Senior Fire Management Officer from Parks, Conservation and Lands.

Ms Green provided Council with an overview of the five year ACT Regional Source Water Protection Program including stakeholder engagement and actions that will be undertaken such as catchment condition assessments and development of incentive programs to support best land management practices.

Mr Kendall presented information about the Sub Regional Fire Management Plans developed to provide more detailed activities and direction in conjunction with the Strategic Bushfire Management Plan and the annual activity based land manager’s Bushfire Plans.

Meetings are continuing with key stakeholders who had been unable to attend the inaugural Researcher’s Roundtable held on 10 July 2009.Council intends progressing this work by developing a vision and outcomes statement about NRM Knowledge Management in the ACT.

One of the Council’s priorities for 2009 is to work with the ACT’s NRM community to look at optimal structures and relationships. Work is continuing on developing the scope of this exercise.

Council was informed about the 2009-10 work program for the National NRM Regions Working Group. The Group facilitates communication between the 56 NRM Regional Bodies as well as undertaking specific projects established at the 2009 NRM Chairs’ forum. The ACT is represented by Dr Sarah Ryan as Deputy Chair.

The next Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, 6 October 2009.