Plans & Actions

Create a Dry Seasons Toolkit (hub) that captures the ways the region already manages seasonal and longer-term dry seasons. Link to resources that are relevant to

Increase agricultural financial and human resource management skills during dry seasons and drought. This could include managing farm debt-to-equity ratio in relation to drought resilience risk profiles with the objective of helping growers become more financially resilient to dry seasons and drought. Highlight the role of farm historical records to help manage the risk to the next generation of growers,

Identify the role of creating farm business incubators in the region that support the growth of future generation farmers who are knowledgeable about building drought resilient enterprises. Identify existing hubs and networks that may be able to offer or

Run natural capital accounting workshops in the subregion to increase knowledge and capability, and to keep growers abreast of the development of natural capital

Create a place-based profile of the North Midlands Resilient Farmer through programs, plans and/or education packages. Help current and next generation farmers to understand the relationships between business, paddock and health, and explore how to lead yourself and your farm through dry seasons and drought. Build skills in decision making in a dry year – expect that it will happen if you are farming in the North Midlands (e.g. farm for one good year in every three). Identify how to get the work/life/farm/red tape balance right to ensure wellbeing and personal resilience to the peaks and troughs, while building a dry season and drought resilient farming business (incorporating off farm and value add on farm income). Understand how to

Investigate and promote fodder storage systems to successfully store 2 – 2.5 years of fodder for mixed enterprise systems as a way to plan to protect fodder, stock,

Identify and showcase farm diversification case studies and run education on building a diverse farming enterprise – considering agritourism and post farm gate value add opportunities. Not all diversity needs to be off farm – how can the farm ‘work smarter’.

Build increased understanding about paddock design for increased water holding capacity – explore the move away from contour banks etc and what rehydration

Support further research into natural fertilisers (e.g. worm juice and manures) to offset use of synthetic and chemicals and increase soil microbial activity and water

Identify and understand the opportunities for cover crops and perennial pastures and light stock grazing using mobile e-fencing technology as an alternative to chemical

Identify the potential and role of the Water Smart Farms and Water Smart Dams project to the North Midlands, including the use of bores for water supply, and extend the value of the project to the region. Connect and leverage other industry groups already undertaking Water Smart Farms and Water Smart Dams project activities.

Increase capacity to harvest/capture rainwater on-farm (e.g. tanks/gutters on farm shed) to be used for spraying to enhance water quality. Improve water use efficiency

Increase decision making skills in relation to weather patterns and seasonal outcomes to build capacity to remain profitable in a season. Identify the tools, resources and skills required to support decision making. Build into this scenario planning to accommodate adverse weather events (e.g. Heavy summer rains, extreme heat etc).

Identify drought related programs across the North Midlands to capture shared lessons learned; look at extending programs across the region and make it easily

Investigate the establishment of a Farmer-to-Farmer communication platform to enable the sharing of North Midlands farmer led on-farm trials and support for writing these up by agronomist or project support officer. Identify ways to share this information to foster increased networking and mateship, local visits and mental

Develop farming business incubators or mentoring programs to support next generation farmers who may not yet have physically seen major droughts or dry season on farm to build and share intergenerational knowledge, networks and

Identify funding to support project/executive officer assets to be shared across smaller farming improvement groups in a coordinated way by linking existing smaller

Create a ‘Look Back to Look Forward’ resource linking Aboriginal knowledge of drought resilience with on farm drought strategies – including traditional fire systems to manage weeds, rehydration and reading landscapes. Identify Right People on Right Country and links to existing and emerging Aboriginal Ranger Programs and partners,

Identify, investigate and support the role of the Healing Country program across the North Midlands to link both agricultural innovation, Aboriginal economic

Undertake a feasibility study exploring the options and opportunities of growing seasonal local produce for the North Midlands area and beyond at a

Review the impact across the North Midlands of the change to the export of sheep/livestock and the availability of meat processing facilities to identify the impact on mixed enterprise businesses and to consider longer term opportunities.

Review the work of the multiple ecosystems services experiment at the UWA Ridgefield (Pingelly) site and identify the lessons learned for the North Midlands.

Develop a deeper understanding of the role of building soil carbon as a drought resilience practice and farm business income methodology. Link to existing

Identify the benefit, function and fit for a central North Midlands online hub that can act as a one stop shop for the community and industry to create a stronger shared brand and create more opportunity for cross-regional communication. Consider how

Undertake a review of all community groups in the region to identify barriers to their continued operations (e.g. Insurance costs, volunteer burnout, lack of paid staffing etc) with the aim of identifying shared workable solutions to strengthen their

Map and identify opportunity pathways for young people in the community including education, sporting, community involvement, training and employment. Link this to new and existing industries in the region.

Undertake a map and gap audit of the current mental health services and programs that operate across the North Midlands to identify needs and opportunities.

Create and distribute a North Midlands toolkit/information package for health professionals operating or visiting the region to better understand the unique communities in the region and how to provide health services that demonstrate an understanding of the members of the community and tipping points, especially during dry seasons and drought. Review the work of rural and remote health organisations to

Undertake a review of all health/medical services that are available in the region to map the regional services profile and then identify opportunities to attract new health services to the region or support existing services. Work with LGAs and key stakeholders to identify how this information can help to support advocacy activities

Investigate pathways and advocacy stakeholders to seek payment for ambulance volunteers to offset costs and to manage volunteer burnout and unavailability during

Investigate the provision of Mental Health First Aid training across the region to help reduce the stigma attached to accessing support during times of need and to build community capacity and knowledge in the provision of on the ground mental health

Conduct research into identifying vulnerable cohorts in the subregion who are most at risk during dry seasons and drought and identify and support activities that enable

Convene a dry seasons and drought risk forum for education leaders in the subregion to better understand the impact of dry seasons and drought from a community education lens, and incorporate this information into Plan projects and outcomes.

Map, communicate and showcase how the communities in the North Midlands subregion can work together to create a whole of region, liveable location and identify how the subregion’s connections help build dry season and drought resilience (e.g.

Review the Community Actions Plans in place by Rural Aid (Community Builders) and identify shared links of action to bolster, support and fund across the North Midlands.

Support the growth of Aboriginal and cultural events (e.g. Mid West NAIDOC event in Morawa) as signature events that attract people to the region. Incorporate on country activities and intergenerational activities. Work to empower the North Midlands Aboriginal community to identify their preferred ways to share culture and

Undertake an audit of the large community events across the subregion to identify their drought risk and identify how to make these dry season and drought resilient to

Develop a drought resilience risk toolkit/ management plan for community events to reduce cancellation and increase likelihood of success in a dry season or drought.

Create a detailed community events plan for the subregion to optimise shared elements, develop a unified events profile, and improve community involvement.

Create a regional ‘pop up community wellbeing’ plan that is activated during dry seasons and drought to proactively address community needs during vulnerable

Undertake an audit of local government greening programs across the region to identify shared opportunities for funding, capacity building, knowledge sharing and waterwise strategies; link these together as a greening spaces trail across the

Support the development of and strengthening of local community gardens as a way to foster social connection and good mental health, encourage local fresh produce, increased skills and education in growing food in a drought resilient way, encourage healthy eating, seed sharing and reducing food miles. As part of this, create a network of community gardens across the regions to foster opportunities for visits between

Identify local Aboriginal Economic Business opportunities across the region. Resilient Community Partners The North Midlands includes the following existing partners who may be well placed to support and activate Resilient Community projects: - Local Government Authorities - North Midlands Project - Rural Aid - North Midlands Agricultural Society - Town Team Movement - Australian Men’s Shed Association - Country Women’s Association - North Midlands Education Networks - Central Regional TAFE - North Midlands Sporting and Recreation Groups - Community Resource Centres in the region - Shire Community Development Officer Network - Community Gardens in the North Midlands - WA Country Health Services - WA Primary Health Network (WAPHA) - Desert Blue Connect (and other social enterprise organisations) - Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal. This list is formative and will continue to be developed as the Plan matures and projects are implemented. Resilient Economy \ Community Conversations related to building economic resilience all identified the importance of growing existing businesses that can support both the agricultural and community needs of the region, while identifying potential new industries that could be developed or attracted to the region. It was noted that many businesses are impacted by seasonal trends and the resulting decisions that are made by farming businesses, and that it is difficult to attract new employees when there is also a housing and childcare shortage. Conversations noted the importance of building diversity into the business sector, and many felt that the tourism, resources, food, carbon and renewable energy sectors offered a pathway to increased economic and business diversity, to reduce the reliance on the agricultural sector and build economic resilience in the region. Additionally, value adding opportunities post ‘farm gate’ and building the visibility of the remote workforce in the region, were noted as opportunities to be explored and developed, along with building a strong profile of training and business development across the North Midlands. Future Drought Fund Objective: Grow the productivity and self-reliance of the agricultural sector; and strengthen the wellbeing and social capital of rural, regional and remote communities. Areas of Focus Key areas of focus include: - Identify and Capitalise on Business Growth Opportunities - Support Economic Diversification and Business Development - Identify and Develop New Industries - Identify and Reduce Business Development Constraints, and - Build Business Training, Networking, Support and Leadership Capacity. What’s Working - Considerations for Investment: Economy While the region has a large economic footprint derived via agriculture and resources, it is also a region growing in diversity of economic opportunities via both the natural and built assets in the North Midlands. The RDRP for the North Midlands encourages the following during decision making regarding future investment: - Clearly understand the current and future access to reliable telecommunication services (e.g. AARNet High Speed Fibre spurs to Mingenew, Three Springs, Coorow and Carnamah) and its potential to provide new industry opportunities and strengthen the diversity of existing businesses in the North Midlands. - Identify potential and pathways for the North Midlands to harness the growing renewables and energy sector in the region to link to building business diversity across the North Midlands. - Leverage both the natural and built assets in the region as part of building economic diversity in the region. - Support and champion projects that showcase diversity of business opportunity in the region.

Undertake an audit of all business and community trades/support services across the region to identify gaps and opportunities. Create a traffic light score card of critical trades and services across the region to monitor and prioritise growth opportunities (identify whether this is a point in time or ongoing scorecard that may be developed in the region). As part of this, identify how this scorecard will be future resourced, used

Identify the ‘hidden remote workforce’ in the region to map the skills of the region and to create networks and links to business growth opportunities in the region.

Work with key stakeholders to create a shared North Midlands tourism platform and brand that showcases all aspects of the offerings in the region across the year and includes wildflowers, history and heritage, Aboriginal culture, the natural environment, agriculture, industries, night sky etc to build a year-round tourism

Identify novel and new tourism activities (e.g. geocaching) that showcase the natural and built assets of the subregion to increase opportunities to bring people to the

Strengthen networks and opportunities and to work with Tourism WA, Coral Coast and Golden Outback to build capacity to achieve event and other funding activities.

Create a North Midlands Pool Hop & Seaside Splash summer trail that brings visitors to the region off season to increase summer season economic benefits to the region

Build a stronger profile of the North Midlands as an Astro tourism region to build upon the work already done with Mingenew, Three Springs, Perenjori, Coorow and Morawa

Investigate and showcase opportunities for value add or agribusiness diversification opportunities to existing agricultural products in the region to create new business outcomes (e.g. micro-brewery using malting barley grown in the region, free range eggs for pasture regeneration). Look at how successful diversification has taken place in other regions (value add, farm stay/camping, events, dark sky etc).

Identify the existing agrifood assets in the region (e.g. Morawa Ag and MEEDAC hot houses) that could support the development of an agrifood hub in the North Midlands subregion. Identify the capacity, constraints and opportunities of the existing assets

Investigate how major industries (mining, gas, renewables and others) in the North Midlands currently provide local supplier/procurement pathways to assist local businesses and service provides to benefit from major procurement tender and

Create a regional capacity map to identify the business, equipment and assets of the region that can be identified as local content businesses for resources and others

Work with major industries (mining, gas, renewables and others) to establish local supplier/procurement pathways to assist local businesses and service providers to quote and tender for supply and service contracts for major projects in the North

Identify all existing vacant buildings and investigate shared space business opportunities for existing and new businesses. Ensure that each LGA in the region has a micro-business hub that can accommodate multiple small businesses to mitigate

Investigate existing infrastructure across the region (what is already in place) that offers locally new business or growth opportunities (e.g. multiple commercial

Identify waste that is created across the region (e.g. food, feedlots etc) and investigate opportunities for value add or creation of new products and business (e.g. compost, beverages etc). As part of this, identify current projects in action with DPIRD and other agencies that could be incorporated or expanded in the

Identify the support needs of the region that are currently outsourced to non-local businesses to identify opportunities for local support businesses to be created (e.g.

Map the renewables and energy projects across the region, with the aim of understanding how to position the North Midlands as a significant region to support growth in these industries and capture positive economic impact and outcomes.

Undertake a survey of all small businesses in the region – understand the impacts of a dry season and what support they need to become more resilient to dry seasons and

Develop a drought resilience toolkit and plan for small businesses in the region to provide accessible information and tools to help small business plan and prepare to be

Identify the opportunity to match small business capital improvements and community streetscape development (e.g. shared capital improvement) to support

Create an asset register of storage incubators across the region to identify gaps or further needs to support current and new small trade businesses in the region.

Work with key stakeholders in the region to formulate short and long-term employment housing options. Look at options of multi-use accommodation options

Partner with LGAs to audit the regional childcare asset base (business, skills, capacity, demand etc) to identify new business opportunities and link to funding

Work with key stakeholders to assess the short and long-term connectivity security issues of the region from both a community, business and safety point of view.

Create a North Midlands Leadership, Business and Entrepreneurs network to facilitate individual and business networking, training and development, and growth

Create a Resources Ready training program for better engagement with the resources industry and create an online business hub where local content assets can be easily accessed by the major project industries, organisations and proponents in the region.

Leverage the capacity of the Community Resource Centres (CRC) to strengthen their role in providing business incubation support, business networks and partnerships,

Review and promote the apprenticeship and traineeship offerings of the region and support young people to remain in the region with confidence in further training and employment opportunities. Resilient Regional Economy Partners The North Midlands includes the following existing partners who may be well placed to support and activate Resilient Economy projects: - Local Government Agencies - Community Resource Centre Network - WA Local Government Association - Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation - Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions - Mid West Development Commission - Mid West Chamber of Commerce & Industry - Mid West Food Industries Alliance - North Midlands Project - Western Power - Regional Development Australia Mid West & Gascoyne - Australia’s Academic And Research Network - Telecommunications Agencies - Agriculture and Resources Industry Bodies - Central Regional TAFE - Tourism Western Australia - Astrotourism Western Australia - Australia’s Coral Coast - Australia’s Golden Outback - Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council - Tourism Geraldton Mid West. This list is formative and will continue to be developed as the Plan matures and projects are implemented. Resilient Landscapes Community Conversations identified both the importance of and a desire to value, protect, manage and improve the environment and landscapes of the region. This is also reflected in each of the strategic plans of the participating Local Government Shires. The region is home to a few carbon-based projects which have different impacts on the surrounding community and, while there is a strong recognition of the importance of revegetation, there is also acknowledgment of the need for better natural capital accounting practices and guidelines to provide market drivers for revegetation that are integrated within a productive agricultural landscape. The natural assets of the region come to life during the wildflower season, and this is a key tourism and economic driver. Recognising that this environmental drawcard has the potential to be diminished by drought, the opportunity to strengthen and diversify tourism and small business opportunities to offset the impact of a drought is a priority for the region. The Conversations also identified the potential for greater collaboration with the traditional ecological knowledge of First Nations people and contemporary farming practices, extending to remnant, riparian, and reserve management. Linkages between traditional and western management practice to improve the condition and extent of natural capital and ecosystem services can enhance environment and agricultural resilience in the region. Future Drought Fund Objective: Improve the function of agricultural landscapes through effective management of the natural resource base. Areas of Focus Key areas of focus include: - Natural Capital Management - Reserve Connectivity and Management - Restoration and Revegetation - Future Farm Practices, and - Community Engagement, Education, and Landscape Group Support. What’s Working - Considerations for Investment: Landscape The region has a wonderful asset base of natural resources, which offer both environmental and financial benefits to the region and the communities within the North Midlands. The RDRP for the North Midlands encourages the following during decision making regarding future investment: - Use the existing natural resources management strategy vision for the Northern Agricultural Region (NARVis) as a guiding resource to link to when considering investment in the action ideas. This vision: ‘Sound natural resource management by a vibrant local community will support a healthy and well-functioning environment and a diversified regional economy’ can provide a sense of direction that is linked to a broader vision for the Northern Agriculture region, of which the North Midlands is located. - Encourage partnering between individuals, groups and agencies as a critical pathway for the development of long-term sustainability in the region by offering opportunities to activate and invest in projects that bring benefit to multiple groups in the North Midlands. - Build upon existing work done by Natural Resource Management Groups that provide underpinning research, information and guidance to the action ideas.

Collect and collate information on the region to establish a natural resources conditioning report card – work with local groups to undertake and support this program and link to the further development of the North Midlands DVA. As part of this, investigate the existing available environmental score cards for the region

Identify the existing carbon-based projects (e.g. tree) in the North Midlands to better understand the community and economic benefits (e.g. jobs creation) experienced, with a view to creating a framework that helps to better link and match future carbon

Ensure free and informed prior consent, develop a deeper understanding about traditional ecological knowledge for drought resilience and match this with contemporary farming practices and environment management to strengthen natural

Identify opportunities to increase the education and information sessions on natural capital accounting in the region for farmers, land holders and the community to bring

Develop strategies to enhance the visibility of the North Midlands subregion in the formulation of future Natural Capital farming programs and policies in the Mid West.

Identify the ongoing damage from Cyclone Seroja in terms of remnant vegetation/habitat loss and identify ongoing work needed and funding sources to help

Audit the unique coastal elements of the North Midlands subregion that are impacted by dry seasons and drought. Work with LGAs and key stakeholders to identify and map activities that help to better manage the coastal region during times of impact.

Provide support, education, and incentives to farmers and landholders to engage in activities that restore, protect, and revegetate vulnerable areas to ensure sustainable

Identify tools, programs and forums that can help farmers and landholders to more easily document their environmental assets and identify financial incentives to

Identify current restoration and revegetation projects in the region and communicate the outcomes to extend relevant projects more broadly across the North Midlands

Identify threats (e.g. weeds, feral animals etc) to restoration and revegetation activities to understand reduction actions required to reduce threats prior to site

Support farmers and landholders to adopt farming systems and practices that have beneficial outcomes for the land and ecosystems under their management, and which

Identify and promote case studies and farmers in action who are supporting the uptake of regenerative farming practices at scale that can apply to the North Midlands

Review how farming systems impact dust storms, temperature and water erosion in the region and identify future farming practices that lead to a reduction of impact.

Identify research into efficient machinery operations for straight runs (small areas) that provides opportunity to grow and replant in other areas using least productive land. As part of this, investigate a new land clearing formula that benefits both the

Assist farmers in identifying profitable uses for land that is unsuitable for crops or livestock, emphasising the economic and business diversity benefits, while

Engage with regional schools to help young members of the community to understand traditional ecological knowledge and drought resilience and match this with contemporary farming practices and environmental management. Resilient Landscapes Partners The North Midlands includes the following existing partners who may be well placed to support and activate Resilient Landscape projects: - Yarra Yarra Catchment Management Group - Northern Agricultural Catchment Council - Aboriginal Groups (Right People on Right Country) - Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development - Department of Water and Environmental Regulation - Department of Fire and Emergency Services - Mingenew Irwin Group - Morawa Farm Improvement Group - Three Springs Farm Innovation Network - Perenjori Farming Forward Group - West Midlands Group - North Midlands Agricultural Society - Grower Group Alliance - South West Drought Hub - Morawa Agricultural College - MEEDAC. This list is formative and will continue to be developed as the Plan matures and projects are implemented. Resilient Water Systems Community Conversations across the North Midlands identified having appropriate water systems in place as an important part of building drought and dry season resilience across industry, agriculture and community. Access to secure and ongoing potable water sources is vital to dry season and drought resilience in the North Midlands subregion. In addition to community resilience, access to water is essential to realise goals for economic development and diversity and must be carefully planned against current and future needs. The Conversations also identified that there is an opportunity for the region to build a stronger community commitment across both farm and non-farm community members for a collective approach to capturing, storing and using water wisely including both potable and non-potable. Multiple examples were given during the Conversations about the economic, social and environmental impact of when water systems had failed. Individuals are keen to see activities that can reduce risks in the current systems and develop more robust systems for the future. These examples extended to the impact of natural hazards and other related events such as major regional power outages which then have a flow on effect to the availability and security of water for the community. Additionally, education and community awareness about the sources of water in the North Midlands and how to be a good community steward of the water that is available where identified as important. In addition to sustaining the current community and industry, water availability is critical to support new and emerging industries. Future Drought Fund Objective: Grow the self-reliance and performance (productivity and profitability) of the agricultural sector; improve the natural capital of agricultural landscapes for better environmental outcomes; and strengthen the wellbeing and social capital of rural, regional and remote communities. Areas of Focus Key areas of focus include: - Water Conservation, Harvesting and Efficiency - Water Supply, Sources and Security - Water Usage, Storage and Security - Water Quality, Innovation and Adoption, and - Water Literacy and Leadership. What’s Working - Considerations for Investment: Water The region has a shared vision to protect its water resources and assets and encourages a shared interest and ownership of the water that is available in the region. The RDRP for the North Midlands encourages the following during decision making regarding future investment: - Prioritise and advocate for long term potable water security for the subregion to ensure short- and long-term community and industry stability. - Work with regulatory bodies and key stakeholders to increase access to information that helps the region to understand its water sources, security and opportunities to protect water sources. - Encourage and support each LGA to plan for and maximise the use of non-potable water sources to undertake community greening programs. - Support LGAs to undertake a program to develop their own non potable Strategic Community Water Supplies Plan, with relevant government funding. - Support the existing work of groups who are promoting waterwise planting and community gardening programs. - Foster a sense of ‘shared water responsibility’ across community members in the North Midlands to encourage personal ownership of actions that help to protect, preserve and store available water.

Create a community factsheet about the water sources and systems of the North Midlands to encourage understanding of how to conserve water in the

Identify grants and funding to grow placed based water harvesting capacity (e.g. gutters, tanks, downpipes, tanks at stock water points etc) across the

Promote opportunities that enable community members to switch to low flow shower heads and other water conservation methods (e.g. kitchen, laundry, grey water and gardens) to mitigate poor water quality during drought and dry seasons (e.g. high

Identify incentives and pathways for using drought resilient/water wise plants in community and local planting. As part of this, identify the potential for Aboriginal economic opportunities to provide locally grown drought resilient seedlings.

Support partnerships between community, local government and major region businesses (e.g. agriculture and resources) to activate water harvesting and water

Undertake an audit of all community spaces water solutions (e.g. dam, bore etc) that facilitate greening activities to identify a risk management plan to ensure continuity

Identify the opportunities to harvest stormwater and wastewater (water re-use) to use on community greening programs. Include feasibility and infrastructure costs – and an audit of what is currently done and what could be done in the future. Work with

Create a map of community bores and dams – link to existing plans that identify

Identify the grid and back-up power sources for community scheme programs to ensure continuity of water supply during power outages. Consider how this may link to

Undertake research into the groundwater water security, quality and duration of water supply. Work with key partners, DWER and Water Corporation, to create a shared

Support and fund LGAs to review, update and communicate their emergency water plans, maps and points to the community and local emergency groups to enhance the

Create a waterwise literacy education program with regional schools enhance understanding of water sources of the subregion and how they can help to conserve and protect water. Consider an annual education activity that showcases what schools are doing and celebrates the results of the children’s activities. Tie into the STEM part of the curriculum. Identify a funding ambassador for the program.

Encourage greater community awareness and ownership of the shared role of water stewardship in the North Midlands across community, groups and industry via

Encourage drought resilient home and community gardens and gardening programs – establish an ‘open garden’ tour in the North Midlands to coincide with the wildflower season and to encourage local food production, drought resilient gardening, and

Review the book 'Aboriginal Journey Ways' (How Ancient Trails Shaped our Roads by Dr Noel Nannup and Dr Francesca Robertson with Main Roads) to identify the drought aspects of this resource and identify how a similar resource for the North Midlands with a focus on dry season, drought and water resilience could be created. As part of this, deepen and strengthen the understanding of traditional water management