3.2 Principles

Ecologically Sustainable Development: using, conserving and enhancing the community’s resources so that ecological processes, on which life depends, are maintained, and the total quality of life, now and in the future, can be increased. Since 1997 the Local Government Act has required Councils to implement the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development into their operations and decision making. Integrated Water Management: Coordinated land, water and natural resource management, with attention to maintaining ecosystem services for social and economic welfare. Strength-based Community development: An approach to development based on harnessing community skills and assets. The Manning River ECMP project team will seek inclusive engagement opportunities with community participants including Aboriginal people, young people, elders, long-term landowners, newcomers and visitors.

Risk management: This involves identifying, assessing and managing risks that will create uncertain outcomes for program objectives. Systems Thinking: An approach to problem solving which recognises complexity. Solutions seek to address multiple interactions in the system. Total Catchment Management: The coordinated and sustainable use and management of land, water, vegetation and other natural resources, on a water catchment basis, to balance resource use and conservation.

Regenerative farming: Goes beyond sustainable farming, aiming to restore agricultural landscapes to full health. This encompasses restoring soil health and biodiversity, re-charging aquifers and reducing reliance on high-cost artificial inputs.2 Rehydration of the landscape: This involves reinstating more natural biophysical landscape functions and soil organic content to improve water infiltration and reliability.3 Nara: This is a Gathang word meaning “listen to learn.” It means listening and learning from elders, and for this program extends to Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal community walking together to manage the river we love.

Adaptive Management: a systematic approach to improving natural resource management by learning from management outcomes and making changes to improve the ecological response and reduce stressors. 2: Massey, C. 2020

3: Hurditch, 2015