Western Landcare NSW Inc.

Touring the Western Region of NSW

Regional Landcare Coordinator 'Tour' helps with LEP travel budget

Efficiency - LEP023-021-05

The issue

Western Landcare NSW (WLNSW) covers 40% of NSW.

While online meetings are useful for connecting with our widely dispersed staff and stakeholders via a screen, essential non-verbal communication and opportunities to connect over shared meals or field trips may be missed.

Out here, face-to face-meetings with people in other parts of our region generally involve a 600km return road trip – at minimum – plus an overnight stay. Hire vehicles are not cheap. Although this is life as usual in the outback, LEP travel budgets will run out well before June 30 with numerous return trips. 

The solution

One way travel, is the way to go.

Once the outback heat began to subside in mid-February, I drove out of Broken Hill on a RLC "tour" of the Western Region. The intention was to meet WLNSW and Western LLS staff living in Bourke, Brewarrina, Cobar, Hillston, Euston, Buronga, and Wentworth before heading back home to Broken Hill.

This 2000km meet’n’greet involved staying with friends, family, and staff where possible to spare the spending – home cooked meals meant less meal claims. Without the need to return home after meetings, a ’tour’ became a solution to our remote situation. Now for the northwest…

The impact

Face-to-face eye contact, a handshake and/or a friendly hug helped to initiate trusting professional relationships. Meeting landcaring staff and stakeholders in person also helped to initiate meaningful connections over mutual interests (particularly NRM) that can now be maintained online.

Six months later, mutual respect has grown and relationships continue to strengthen. This creates genuine enthusiasm to co-design and collaborate on projects that serve our remote residents and communities. Seeing on ground projects in person also helped me to understand the context and appreciate the work undertaken by volunteers - information that can then be distributed around the region by LLCs. 

Learnings

Not all WLLS staff were available to meet due to on ground work commitments

LEP’s RLC travel budget still ran out well before June 30

In person engagement created opportunities for deeper connection through shared experience  

Red dirt is addictive – you can’t leave once it gets into your hair and heart

Author: Melanie Gates

Key facts

  • Driving the Western Region involves dodging goats and kangaroos along with other wildlife - there's no hurry
  • A full tank of fuel is necessary – 200kms between pumps (a serious caution to EV drivers)
  • Plan your trip – mining towns often run out of motel rooms
  • Remember to take photos and videos to share on socials – it’s a long way to go back for one!

Project Partners