Community Collaboration in the Yass Gorge
Partnerships between Landcare, the local Aboriginal community and volunteers are helping restore and care for an important Yass Gorge conservation area.
Self sustenance - LEP23-014-LLC15-5
The issue
Yass Gorge is home to remnants of Natural Temperate Grassland, a nationally endangered ecological community that supports a rich diversity of native plants and wildlife. For many years, local volunteers have worked alongside neighbours to protect and enhance this significant landscape. A neighbouring site owned by the Onerwal Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) had become a dumping ground for tyres, rubbish and spoil. While volunteers were committed to improving the area, the scale of the clean-up required resources and equipment beyond the capacity of community volunteers alone.
The solution
As a regional Landcare network, the Yass Area Network of Landcare Groups (YAN) played a key role as a connector between community organisations, local government, contractors and funding opportunities. YAN Volunteers used their local knowledge and networks to engage Yass Valley Council and other stakeholders, while YAN assisted in navigating funding and service opportunities. Working together YAN, and Onerwal LALC developed a practical plan to restore the site. The project demonstrated the value of two-way partnerships, with organisations contributing their knowledge, connections and resources to achieve a shared environmental and community outcome.
The impact
The collaborative effort resulted in a significant transformation of the site. Illegal dumping was removed, including large quantities of tyres which were disposed of through council-supported waste programs at no cost to Onerwal LALC. Local contractors assisted with clean-up and earthworks, helping stabilise and reshape the area. Drains were filled, hazards removed and the site prepared for future restoration activities. The partnership has strengthened relationships between Landcare volunteers, the local Aboriginal community and other community organisations. Planning is now underway for the next stage of the project, including revegetation works and the establishment of a yarning circle to create a culturally significant community gathering space.
Key facts
- Landcare acts as a connector, advocate and supporter of other community groups
- Strong partnerships can create opportunities that individual organisations cannot achieve alone