Plans & Actions

Create whole of farm systems that are adaptable to and innovating for changing climatic conditions across both cropping and mixed enterprise systems in a proactive way to build long term agricultural sustainability, resilience and profitability into the region.

Understand the impact of vegetation on rainfall patterns and identify potential positive impacts from proactive landscape/environmental revegetation in the region.

Create The 2050 North Midlands Farm – identifying the best fit North Midlands farm for the future (look at UWA Best Practice Farming Systems Project as a model).

Investigate the opportunities of a Traditional Farming Partnerships program – matching Aboriginal Economic Opportunities with non-productive land on farms – partnering for ecological management and new bushfood/business opportunities. Resilient Agricultural Systems Partners The North Midlands includes the following existing partners who may be well placed to support and activate Resilient Agriculture projects: - Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development - Department of Water and Environmental Regulation - Mingenew Irwin Group - Morawa Farm Improvement Group - Three Springs Farm Innovation Network - Perenjori Farming Forward Group - West Midlands Group - North Midlands Agricultural Society - Co-operative Bulk Handling - Grains Research Development Corporation - Yarra Yarra Catchment Management Group - Northern Agricultural Catchment Council - Mid West Food Industries Alliance - Grower Group Alliance - South West Drought Hub - Morawa Agricultural College - Aboriginal Groups (Right People on Right Country) - Elders and Nutrien (and other livestock/agricultural groups) - Local and regional farm consultancy groups - Local and regional farm business groups - Local and regional farm business/equipment/water supplies companies. This list is formative and will continue to be developed as the Plan matures and projects are implemented. Resilient Community Community Conversations identified the importance of communities being able to prepare for dry seasons and drought, and at the same time being able to bounce back from these occurrences. One key term that came up during the Conversations was the importance of sharing ‘good news stories’, so that current and future community members understand the resilience that has been built up over the years and how this has helped the community. Like other community organisations such as the North Midlands Project, the Town Teams movement and the Community Development Action Plans (Rural Aid – Bank of IDEAS), Community Resource Centres and visitor centres, engagement identified the importance of activities that help to attract, grow and retain people, businesses and groups in the community. It is essentially the ‘working connections’ that offer the opportunity to withstand dry seasons and drought. “Ripple effects of dry years are significant. Some are nearly irreversible such as a steady stream of population decline.” Community Conversation participant Mental wellbeing during dry seasons, drought and natural hazards was discussed at many points, along with the importance of having health providers who were in tune with the unique aspects of supporting the community during these times. Housing, childcare, employment, infrastructure and business all contribute to a drought resilient community. Communities can be sustained only with people collectively working towards building towns and a region that retains populations and attracts new residents. Future Drought Fund Objective: Strengthen the social capital, wellbeing, and connectedness of rural, regional and remote agricultural communities. Areas of Focus Key areas of focus include: - Attracting and Retaining People, Business and Groups - Growing and Supporting People and Groups - Creating a Healthy and Resilient Community - Creating a Liveable Region (Growing Events, Sports, Nature and the Arts), and - Growing Places and Spaces. What’s Working - Considerations for Investment: Community The region is well known for an active community program, with many communities working towards diversification in their community offering. The RDRP for the North Midlands encourages the following during decision making regarding future investment: - Continue to support, bolster and strengthen community and not for profit groups that have an activation footprint in the North Midlands and who are already working across the themes of the Plan. - Link in with existing Community Action Plans (CAPs) developed through the Community Builders program with Rural Aid. Support and encourage all LGAs in the North Midlands to participate, where possible, in programs that develop action plans to foster ongoing community development. - Encourage sharing of plans, activities, projects and outcomes within the community groups space to build a stronger profile of what it is to be a resilient community both in the short and long term in the North Midlands. - Understand and consider the unique nature of the communities of the subregion– from coastal to inland – and their placed based needs and connections. - Invest in reviews that identify work already done in this theme to avoid duplication of work and expenditure of grants and funds.

Work with regional partners and key stakeholders to create the North Midlands Five Families Project to attract five new families to each of the participating shires by 2035.

Create a healthy community that can manage the mental health challenges through dry seasons and drought conditions with increased mental fitness.

Develop and adopt community benefit frameworks for major projects in the North Midlands, so that proponents align with and support community aspirations and resilience goals.

Enable businesses in the North Midlands to become more resilient to the economic and social impacts of dry seasons and droughts through business innovation,

Position the North Midlands as a future business headquarters hub to encourage long term industry growth and development.

Better understand and communicate the economic, social and community value of the natural resources and ecosystems of the North Midlands subregion.

Create a whole of region map/resource including lands under Native Title determination showing reserves, the health of these reserves, and the planned

Connect nature reserves and green belts to better support animal and plant communities. As part of this, investigate the potential adverse impacts on the profitability of agricultural systems. Look to local, national and global frameworks (e.g. Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework) to provide guidance.

Collaborate with farmers, landholders, and stakeholders to restore ecosystems and biodiversity so the region can better endure dry seasons and drought.

Continue to make the business case for revegetation and restoration of land for future farming endeavours in the region. Community Engagement, Education, and Landscape Group Support (Capacity Building)

All people of the North Midlands region have at least three days of water in storage at any one time to manage through a natural hazard or drought where normal water supply sources are compromised.