Hard work brings recognition & reward
Hard work brings recognition & reward
Coffs Harbour Regional Landcare’s successful Volunteer Support Program has been recognized by Coffs Harbour City Council who have included it in their Major Strategic Programs/Projects resulting in 4 year funding certainty.
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LLCI033-067
The issue
Coffs Harbour Regional Landcare (CHRL) has received funding from Coffs Harbour City Council’s (CHCC’s) Environmental Levy fund for the last 20 years for our Volunteer Support Program. This funding support from Council has enabled CHRL and our hard working volunteers to achieve significant positive environmental outcomes on Public lands (both Council and National Parks & Wildlife managed) across our region. However funding has been on a year to year basis and we have had to reapply for it every year for. Therefore there was ongoing uncertainty each year around whether funding would be ongoing.
The solution
As a result of our many years working on Public land both CHCC and National Parks and Wildlife recognise that CHRL's onground work on public land greatly assists the land managers to meet their environmental objectives. After a review of the Environmental Levy in 2017, a new Environmental Levy policy was developed by CHCC. CHRL was interviewed as part of the review. As a result of the review, CHCC now considers CHRL’s Volunteer Support Project as significant and important enough to become a Major Strategic Programs/Projects in their 4 year Delivery program.
The impact
As a result of our Volunteer Support Program being included in CHCC's Major Strategic Programs/Projects we now have funding certainty for 3 years and can plan our Support Program over a longer term. There is improved job security as the funding covers a 2.5 days a week project officer position. Our volunteers have increased motivation as the value of their work is being recognized and their resources and training are guaranteed for the next few years.
Key facts
- Funding certainty increased from 1 to 4 years
- Application for funding reduced from every year to every 4 years
- Reporting reduced from quarterly to yearly