Clarence Landcare Inc

A Community Office: Technology and aesthetics for a multi-use space

The office hosts professional meetings and provides a welcoming space for Landcarers.

Capacity building - LEP_23_033_LLC_CLI_04

The issue

For the last 25 years Clarence Landcare has had an office space above the main street in Grafton.  Prior to 2018 the furniture consisted of old mismatched pieces from various government refurbishments, the walls were shabby and technology was limited.  It did not reflect the professional organisation that Clarence Landcare had become.  A successful grant submission provided funds for a physical and technological makeover.

The solution

The refurbishment included electronic conference equipment which enabled the organisation to continue professional operation during Covid restrictions in 2020/21.  Since then, the welcoming physical space has hosted many large multistakeholder meetings as well as daily community drop-ins.  Most visitors to the office comment on the atmosphere and comfort.  The office reflects the professional, welcoming, grassroots organisation that Clarence Landcare is.

The impact

One limiting factor has been staff availability to keep the office consistently open to the community, but the new Landcare Enabling Programme doubled the Local Landcare Co-odinator (LLC) time  and now the office has regular opening hours.  The additional LLC time also allows Clarence Landcare to be involved in many local initiatives and collaborations which are not grant funded projects.

Author: Deanna Fernance

Key facts

  • The office is conveniently located for drop-ins in an upstairs office on the main street of Grafton.
  • The technological improvements mean online meetings were possible during Covid restrictions, and the office has hosted many hybrid meetings since then.
  • The additional Local Landcare Co-ordinator resource available via the Landcare Enabling Programme means the office is predictably available to the public, resulting in more office drop-ins, phone calls being answered and email enquiries responded to.
  • The additional availability of the LLC allows Clarence Landcare to be a stakeholder in a variety of community collaborations.