The Wagga Wagga Urban Landcare Group works towards achieving a viable, sustainable community which embraces long term environmental considerations.

Our Objectives

• To address environmental issues of concern to members of the Wagga Wagga Urban Landcare Group and the Wagga Wagga community.
• To achieve an ongoing community and Council commitment to manage water-table levels and salinity within the context of ecologically sustainable development.
• To support change in management practices of Wagga Wagga City Council in line with their Natural Resource Management Plan.

Our Achievements

• State Finalist in the NSW Landcare Awards in the Community Category.
• Assisted Wagga Wagga City Council in the management and implementation of a $3 million urban salinity program.
• Participation on numerous local government & agency committees.
• Involved in revegetation for salinity control and biodiversity. (Murrumbidgee River banks, Maher Park and North Wagga Flats).
• Key participants in National Urban Salinity Conference and NSW Community Salinity Summit held Wagga. Participation in Hardy Avenue Streetscaping project for salinity control.
• Members in DOCENT education program for salinity.
• Involved in environmental weed control on public bushland reserves.
• Media campaigns, TV Ads, community events and festivals, newspaper features.
• Collaboration with community groups.

Our legacy The Wagga Wagga Urban Landcare Group was first formed in September 1994 following a public meeting convened to discuss urban salinity. Saline watertables were beginning to cause serious problems in Wagga Wagga and the potential to cause further deterioration to both public and private property was regarded as substantial. The city was experiencing damage to recreational areas, roads, and infrastructure such as drainage and sewerage pipes. Campaign days An Urban Salinity Action Plan was proposed by Wagga Wagga City Council in conjunction with the then State Department of Conservation and Land Management and the newly formed Wagga Wagga Urban Landcare Group. The four-year plan had a five pronged attack comprising:

1. revegetation,
2. education,
3. dewatering bores,
4. rear block drainage, and
5. monitoring of ground and surface water.

The campaign to lower saline water tables was widely acclaimed with both the Wagga Wagga City Council and the Wagga Wagga Urban Landcare Group selected as state finalists in the 1999 NSW Landcare Awards. Both the landcare group and Council continue to be sought after as a result of their achievements. Tours of urban salinity remediation sites in the City have emerged as a significant tourist attraction. Today the group has broadened interests to a wide range of natural resources activities, among these wetlands, biodiversity, riparian restoration, squirrel glider habitat enhancement, weed control, waste minimization, and initiatives that lead to smaller ecological footprints.

Our Members The success of the landcare group is based on community membership and strong support given by government and businesses.

Our Group The group comprises about 40 active members from all areas and interests in the community: business, commerce, industry, trades, professions, students, gardeners, bushwalkers and canoeists.

How you can get involved

• Join the Landcare Group
• Change your own behaviour
• Become a sponsor
• Provide labour & expertise to our urban landcare group

What you can do Encourage sustainable practises by

• using less water in your garden & home
• buying & using energy and resource efficient appliances
• use plants and insulation to save energy around the home
• riding or walking for short trips instead of using the car.

Look after natural areas by

• not dumping rubbish in parklands
• not collecting firewood on the roadside
• staying on bike and vehicle tracks.

Promote local biodiversity by

• planting local native plants in your garden
• providing a watering spot for fauna
• not dumping garden refuse in natural areas
• keeping your cats in runs, or the house, at night.

Where to go for advice

Your Council, the Riverina LLS, the Office of Environment and Heritage, the NSW Department of Primary Industries & your local Landcare Group.