Westernport Catchment Landcare Network coordinator Julie Weatherhead, pictured with Nar Nar Goon North landholder George Blenkhorn, is concerned that false claims undermining the positive contribution of Landcare have given the wrong impression of the organisation’s role in revitalising people’s properties.
By Paul Dunlop
FRUSTRATED Landcare officials say farmers are opting out of valuable treeplanting works because lies were being spread about the good job they do.
Westernport Catchment Landcare Network coordinator Julie Weatherhead last week said she had heard claims people were not using Landcare because they’d been told their property would then belong to the organisation.
Ms Weatherhead was furious that some people in the community appeared to be actively discouraging potential Landcare users.
Claims the organisation had any agenda other than to improve the environment were totally false, she said.
“It’s completely untrue and ridiculous,” Ms Weatherhead said.
“People are being told that if they use Landcare it won’t be their property any more.
“I have no idea where these stories are starting. It’s a complete mystery to me.
“We’ve put about $3 million into fencing materials, native plants and labour into local projects that improve our community. That’s all we’re interested in.”
Ms Weatherhead said the attacks threatened to undermine almost a decade of good work by the Westernport Catchment Landcare Network.
Set up by the Cardinia Environment Coalition in 1998, it initially involved four local Landcare groups — Bunyip, Cannibal Creek, Back Creek and Labertouche.
“These groups were concerned about the degradation of waterways, bushland and overclearing,” Ms Weatherhead said.
“The aim was to set up a network to support landholders with mentoring and helping with planting.”
Ms Weatherhead said that over the years the network had completed more than 540 projects that had resulted in the planting of more than 420,000, tubestock plants, fencing and the creation of hundreds of kilometres of new green corridors and shelterbelts.
“Over 30 hectares of land has been direct seeded for shelterbelts on bare farms in the past three years alone,” she said.
Ms Weatherhead challenged critics to make their claims publicly.
She said all Landcare’s agreements with landholders were voluntary and emphasised the Landcare network had no interest or claim on the area.
“It remains in the hands of the landholder, it becomes an improved asset for them,” she said.
Deep Creek Landcare president Meryl Waterhouse said she was a strong advocate of the good work done by Landcare and was concerned that some people were getting a false message.
“We began the first stage of a Landcare project in 2002 and we have transformed our property in just five years,” she said.
“We are thrilled with our project because we now have a wellsheltered property that looks great, has added value to our property and all at minimal cost to us.”
Nar Nar Goon North landholder George Blenkhorn also encouraged residents to make use of Landcare’s services.
Ms Weatherhead said the network was approaching its 10th birthday and was always keen to hear from landholders who may be interested in undertaking Landcare works on their property.
