NRM's new beginnings

The new and improved Southern Queensland NRM held its first board meeting this week.

Maranoa councillors and Southern Queensland NRM board members (L-R): Geoff McMullen, David Schefe, Julie Reitano, Chris Joseph, Rob Haywood, Bruce Cott, Karen Tully, Jim Cavaye, Janelle Moore, Ann Noone, Graham Cooke, Paul McDonald, Steve Bligh. Picture: Jorja McDonnell

THE new environmental supergroup of the southwest convened its first of many meetings last week, bringing three major players in the resources management sector together.

Made up of the Condamine Alliance, Murray-Darling Basin Community Committee and South West Natural Resources Management, the new group will be known by the moniker Southern Queensland NRM.

Merging the three groups was a decision that made a lot of sense, said SQNRM chairman Bruce Cott.

"The groups agreed to come together under one roof, and we have six directors based across the region from Thargomindah and Charleville right through to Toowoomba, and our directors are from Thargomindah, Charleville, Mitchell, Jondaryan, Oakey Creek, and Toowoomba.

"We came together because of a shared interest in national resources and also the passion that people have about the management of our natural resources,” he said.

Being a new singular authority with a jurisdiction that stretches from Toowoomba and Stanthorpe right through to Cameron Corner, Mr Cott said the directors' dedicated interest in their communities and the regional environment was vital.

"I think everyone on the board is involved, engaged and passionate about how we deal with the land and water resources.

"But importantly, they are also passionate about liaising with the community and hearing their voice,” he said.

"It's not necessarily about what I might have a passion about, it's what the community wants.

"That's where the regional councils and other organisations come in and can tell us their desires and aspirations for their region, because we are all in this together.”

At the meeting held in Roma, Mr Cott said the group's plan for the future was the most important task on its list.

"It's important that at this, our first meeting, we plan and put our strategy together,” he said.

"We have an important role to play in terms of how monies are spent from Commonwealth, State and other sources, but importantly, liaising with and connecting with local councils is a key part of our strategy.

"Our job is to listen to the community and we see a great conduit to that listening post at a council level.

"We welcome any comments from time to time and if we're not listening, make sure that you get in touch with us.”

In order to make themselves accessible, SQNRM will initially set up three offices.

"We will be establishing an office in Roma and it will be staffed, and there will be offices in Toowoomba and Charleville across the region,” Mr Cott said.

"The region covers from Toowoomba, right out to the Quilpie Shire and the Bulloo Shire at Thargomindah.

"Being spread across the region gives us a conduit through our directors to the communities we serve.”