Executive Officer's Report - January 2025
|
Western Murray Land Improvement Group (WMLIG) is celebrating its 21st birthday and continues to strive to realise funding that supports the needs of our members and supported groups with projects many of which are in collaboration with our ever-expanding partner network. Our November AGM resulted in a new Board member being Wendy McDonald joining our Board who has been a long-term loyal member and supported of WMLIG. Sadly, we also said goodbye to founding and lifetime member Neil Maddy. Along with the other lifetime and founding member, Rick Ellis have completed a combined 42+years service! Along with Neil, Katrina Myers, Laura Kaylock and Kate Redfearn also stepped down from the Board after considerable time serving on our Board. We appreciate their huge contribution to steering our group through some challenging but rewarding times.
We also welcome a new part time employee, Luke Ward who is working on our Resilient Pastures and Farm Water Management Program. Luke has Bachelor of Environmental Science qualifications and experience in environmental regeneration, stakeholder engagement, events management, fundraising, communications and customer service roles. |
|
In 2025, WMLIG will focus on major strategic areas related to:
Looking forward, WMLIG is preparing to submit applications to the Sustainable Communities Program funded to support projects we have invested considerable time in developing like an agri-innovation precinct, biochar, biofertilisers and the Murray Region Food Producers Group. The Sustainable Communities Program is a result of 450GL water buybacks and will use state governments to funnel $160M to NSW Basin communities to kickstart or expand industries, community infrastructure projects, workforce development and community support services. We look forward to working further with the community on these and other initiatives.
Roger Knight | Executive Officer | Western Murray Land improvement Group
- Natural Capital Initiatives: The Landscape Impact Program and other environmental market initiatives bring knowledge and environmental market opportunities to local landholders, particularly valuable given the region’s rich biodiversity and potential as a wetland carbon sink. Along the journey, landholders have been exposed to new 2026 scope 3 emission implications, something we really need to focus on in the next three months. Our primary producers really need to be aware of how the new carbon accounting will impact their business in 12 months. WMLIG has positioned itself with skills and knowledge and is now one of the leaders in this space in the country. The Environmental Markets Manager, Jacquiline McArthur will be providing an update on the 13th February 2025 along with the Regen Farmers Mutual, an event not be missed. Further event details are enclosed in this newsletter.
- Industrial Hemp: WMLIG’s industrial hemp initiative, led by the newly created Murray Industrial Hemp (MIH), is an important milestone to provide an additional revenue stream for farmers, local investment opportunities and an avenue for community wealth-building with investment being realised. WMLIG has gained valuable knowledge for business and social enterprise development relating to placed-based capital raising / investment memorandums, legal frameworks etc. which has strengthened WMLIG’s operational acumen for future business endeavours. Note that there are only 38 investor spots left. Contact the Murray Industrial Hemp website https://www.murrayindustrialhemp.com.au/ for more information.
- Murray Connect: A new profit for purpose business is working to improve cross-border relationships and partner opportunities and a provide new economic development / tourism opportunities for our region and will support WMLIG functions via sub-contracting needs. Initially this will be focused on Koondrook and Barham and then expand across our geographic footprint within Murray River Council LGA and northern Victoria.
- Barham Agri-precinct: Value adding local produce, environmental services, storage & distribution and circular economy initiatives.
Looking forward, WMLIG is preparing to submit applications to the Sustainable Communities Program funded to support projects we have invested considerable time in developing like an agri-innovation precinct, biochar, biofertilisers and the Murray Region Food Producers Group. The Sustainable Communities Program is a result of 450GL water buybacks and will use state governments to funnel $160M to NSW Basin communities to kickstart or expand industries, community infrastructure projects, workforce development and community support services. We look forward to working further with the community on these and other initiatives.
Roger Knight | Executive Officer | Western Murray Land improvement Group
