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" Working towards the equitable, efficient and sustainable use of water, land and other environmental resources of the Queensland Murray Darling Basin "

Local Government Program

Local governments manage a considerable area of the region’s natural resources and have responsibilities for pest, waste and urban water supply management. This makes local governments important partners in delivering improved natural resource management in the Queensland Murray-Darling Basin.

As a result, QMDC partners with local governments on many issues and has established programs specifically for councils.

Weeds & pest animal local government incentive scheme

This Scheme provides technical advice and financial assistance for participating local governments to address weed and pest animal management issues, within and across shire boundaries. To be eligible, projects must address priority species and demonstrate a sub-catchment scale approach to management.

Local governments already participating in this project include:

• Maranoa Regional Council (former Bendemere Shire Council area) – control of Mother of Millions on public lands
• Maranoa Regional Council (former Booringa Shire Council area)
• Goondiwindi Regional Council (former Goondiwindi Town Council area) 
• Maranoa Regional Council (areas of the former Roma Town and Bungil shire councils) – control of Green Cestrum and African Boxthorn along Bungil Creek
• Western Downs Regional Council (former Tara Shire Council area)
• Maranoa Regional Council (former Warroo and Bungil shire councils) 

Urban water use programs

Local governments are working with QMDC to develop and implement Urban Water Use Efficiency Plans. These identify areas of high water use where savings can be made, and include educational and practical activities.

For more information on specific projects, check out our Water Use Efficiency page.

Vegetation & biodiversity management on public lands

QMDC also partners local governments in the region to address vegetation and biodiversity on public lands. The main, coordinated local government activity is the Reserves Audit Project. However, QMDC also partners with local governments on a wide range of other nature conservation and vegetation management projects.

Reserves Audit project

This project identifies the values and issues for priority reserves under Shire Council jurisdiction and develops and implements management recommendations, including extension, on-ground works and training. With the help of QMDC, individual councils and associated community members prioritise reserves in their shire according to biodiversity, recreational, and multi-use values, then a detailed audit is completed by an expert on the nominated reserves. This extensive audit comprises species and vegetation community information, issues and threats, and recommendations for future enhancement, threat abatement and management. 

• Southern Downs Regional Council (the former Stanthorpe Shire Council area) - Reserves Audit of six prioritised reserves and the subsequent registering of three reserves under the Land for Wildlife program. Also an active stakeholder in the Stanthorpe Plateau Flora Recovery Plan and member of the Rare Wildflower Consortium
• Goondiwindi Regional Council (former Inglewood Shire Council area) - currently profiling their reserves, looking at condition, issues and asset management. This has included approximately 40 on-site assessments
• Goondiwindi Regional Council (former Goondiwindi Town Council area) - involved in developing a management plan for the Goondiwindi Town Common, which will protect the values, both nature conservation and recreational, of the Town Common
• Goondiwindi Regional Council (former Waggamba Shire Council area) - involved in the Spinifex Vegetation Biodiversity Survey project at Yelarbon, held in March 2006. This project involved extensive flora and fauna surveys of the unique salinity scald vegetation surrounding the Yelarbon township, and the development and opening of the Desert Jewels biodiversity walk on Yelarbon Town Common on 27 May.
• Maranoa Regional Council (former Warroo Shire Council area) - recently started the Reserves Audit Project with the whole council actively involved in prioritising the reserves and setting future direction.
• Maranoa Regional Council (former Booringa Shire Council area) - involved in the Reserves Audit Project, with six priority reserves audited, and now incorporating the recommendations into policy and operations.
• Western Downs Regional Council (former Tara Shire Council area) - is involved in the Gum's Wetland Reserve project that aims to protect the values of the reserve by establishing it as a Conservation Park, and developing a management plan.

• Balonne Shire Council - QMDC engaged Balance! Environmental Consultants to undertake an ecological audit on nine priority reserves across the Balonne Shire. QMDC staff prioritised these reserves based on their biodiversity value and is working closely with BSC staff to develop Management Plans and implement on ground works on some of these council reserves. Currently, a Management PLan for Bindle Camping and Watering Reserve has been developed. 

These vital partnerships would not exist without the willingness and strong support of the local governments involved.

QMDC Connects with Council

QMDC publishes a periodic newsletter for regional and shire councils within the region, providing updates and project information. These newsletters can be downloaded here.

To find out more about specific projects, contact the relevant local government.