Southern Gulf NRM is calling for its members to support a merger with neighbouring regional NRM organisation, NQ Dry Tropics.
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At an Annual General Meeting on November 26, Southern Gulf NRM Board will recommend to its members that a merger is required to support the region moving forward.
Southern Gulf NRM Chairperson, Megan Munchenberg said NQ Dry Tropics, based in the Burdekin Region was eight times the size of Southern Gulf NRM, but it was fundamentally in the same business.
"It has a strong interest and significant expertise in extension for the grazing industry, dominating with 96 percent of the region used for cattle grazing, mostly on rangelands pastures much like ours," Ms Munchenberg said.
"NQ Dry Tropics is very well managed and led, and enjoys a very strong reputation with government agencies and regional communities. It is a natural merger partner for Southern Gulf NRM."
Ms Munchenberg said by merging with NQ Dry Tropics, the Southern Gulf region would gain access to capacity and capability for best practice NRM project development and delivery.
"We will achieve efficiencies through economies of scale that will put more dollars onto the ground for regional communities," she said.
"Our voice to governments will be amplified by being part of an organisation that delivers NRM services over one-fifth of Queensland. Importantly, we will be part of an organisation that has enough foundational strength to build new business to tap into new funding sources."
Ms Munchenberg said discussing the merger had been collaborative and cooperative and prompted by Southern Gulf NRM's funding difficulties.
"Over time the two organisations have come to recognise that a merger is much more about building capacity and opportunity than just responding to a financial crisis," she said.
"The design of the merged organisation follows a program of consultation and feedback. The initial Board providing leadership for the merged company will comprise four nominees of each of the existing companies. All projects in each region will continue as contracted and funded.
"Southern Gulf NRM project staff will remain and continue to work from the Mount Isa office. The Southern Gulf NRM brand will be maintained for delivery of services in the Southern Gulf region."
The decision to recommend a merger to members has not come easy for Southern Gulf NRM.
"Directors are acutely conscious of the progressive decline in services in North West Queensland and know that some will see this merger as another example. But it should instead be seen as the best way we can ensure that NRM services continue to be provided by staff based in the region, delivering projects that are relevant to the region," Ms Munchenberg said.
"Without a merger we will remain a small and vulnerable organisation with limited capacity for improvement and growth.
"Change is never easy. It involves risk and requires vision and courage. It is always easier to see loss than opportunity.
"When our members vote on November 26, we hope that they will seize the opportunity to create a strong foundation for the growth and development of natural resource management for our regional community."
The AGM will be held at the Cloncurry Gidgee Inn next Tuesday from 4pm to 6pm.
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Samantha Campbell
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
