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Building Community Resilience in a Changing Climate

Wheatbelt Natural Resource Management (WNRM) is excited to announce it will be the lead organisation for the Central Wheatbelt region to assist communities plan and prepare for a drying climate by activating funds through the Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative – Community Impact Program.

With its broad stakeholder base across the Wheatbelt working with farmers, local community organisations and Indigenous groups, Wheatbelt NRM is a local knowledge bank that is future focused on how to support healthy, profitable, sustainable communities as we face a predictably drying climate. 

Wheatbelt NRM Program Manager of Sustainable Agriculture Felicity Gilbert believes local communities have diverse and innovative thinking when it comes to building social resilience before, during and after drought.

“Having the privilege to engage regularly with so many local leaders, I know this funding will be an opportunity to build capacity by strengthening social and community networking, support, leadership and wellbeing,” Ms Gilbert said. 

The Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund includes the Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative- Community Impact Program. 

Through the Foundation for Rural, Regional Renewal (FRRR) and the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation funding is available to eligible organisations in the Central Wheatbelt to activate projects, events, initiatives, capability building activities and small scale community infrastructure that will assist people and communities prepare for future droughts. 

Wheatbelt NRM will assist eligible organisations co-design a roadmap that identifies and prioritises initiatives to prepare and respond to drought, focused on social resilience and leadership. There are 11 Wheatbelt Shires included in the Central Wheatbelt -  Koorda, Yilgarn, Mt Marshall, Mukinbudin, Westonia, Trayning, Nungarin, Kellerberrin, Merredin, Bruce Rock and Narembeen.

Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to engage with at least one of the two sessions scheduled ahead of the application process.

Online Information Session – Friday 24th March 11am-11.45 am. To register please email rcrane@wheatbeltnrm.org.au by COB Wednesday 22nd  March. We will issue you an invite and TEAMS link.

Co-Design Workshop – Tuesday 4th April 9.30am-12.30pm, Kellerberrin Rec Centre. Please register your attendance to rcrane@wheatbeltnrm.org.au by COB Friday 31st of March.  

The sessions are designed to inform eligible organisations about the Program and then co-design a roadmap for funding.

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For further information please contact: 

Marketing   and Communications Manager Rose Crane 0427 902 265, rcrane@wheatbeltnrm.org.au