The production of a Land Management Directory is evidence that Benalla continues to lead the municipal field in environmental initiatives that display a flair for partnerships and an acute understanding of what its community needs. The Land Management Directory was hailed as a model worthy of nation wide replication at the 2006 National Tidy Towns award ceremony. It assists landowners in protecting and enhancing their properties by providing information on environmental care – what to do, why and who can assist.
The directory was developed by Benalla Rural City Council in partnership with Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (GBCMA), the Natural Heritage Trust, the Victorian State Government and Landcare Victoria. It is a handy resource with information on farm planning and safety, livestock, pest control, threatened species protection, Landcare Groups in the area, grants available to landowners, waste management and disposal, all terrain vehicles, firewood collection and rural financial counseling services. Local commercial businesses that provide services to landholders are given the opportunity to advertise in the directory, providing a quick reference of local services for rural landholders to use.
National Tidy Towns judge, Dick Olesinski, said the directory was an essential community resource, providing information on environmental care and assistance on a range of topics affecting rural landowners. He recommended that other states develop a directory based on Benalla Rural City’s model.
The directory came into being after GBCMA approached Benalla Rural City Council to create the document using a past pilot project as a model. From there, Rural City Council staff added information relevant to local landholders based on enquiries they frequently receive.
It is anticipated the directory will be updated every two years.
