Any help would be appreciated – please respond to:

Euan Scott
Farm Forestry Development Officer
Mob: 0438 989 500 I Fax: 9964 9776
P.O Box 7168 Geraldton WA 6531 I 18 Chapman Road Geraldton WA 6530
www.nacc.com.au www.thegreenerlife.com.au www.changingenvironments.com.au
Northern Agricultural Catchments Council – The peak body for the environment, sustainability,
natural resource management and climate change adaptation in the Northern Agricultural Region

WA FLORA INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE (WAFIAC) Members

The Western Australian Flora Industry Advisory Committee is seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified individuals from the WA native flora industry for appointment to the Committee.

The Committee provides a forum for consultation between the flora industry and other interested parties, and provides advice on flora industry management to The Department of Environment and Conservation and the Hon Minister for the Environment.

The Committee is made up of representatives of wildflower pickers, flora exporters/dealers, private growers, seed collectors, tertiary institutions, Department of Environment and Conservation, Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority, Department of Agriculture and Food and the Wildflower Society.

Expressions of Interest are being sought from persons involved in the following aspects of the industry:  Wildflower dealers/exporters; wildflower pickers in the northern and southern areas of the south west of the State; and the native seed industry.

Expressions of interest should include details of involvement in the industry, experience and expertise, and capacity to represent or communicate with your sector of the industry.  Expressions of Interest should be addressed to the:

WAFIAC Secretary

C/- Department of Environment and Conservation

Locked Bag 104

BENTELY DELIVERY CENTRE   WA   6983

Attention: Melanie Smith

or by email to melanie.smith@dec.wa.gov.au

Further information, including the terms of reference of the committee, can be obtained from Melanie Smith (08 9334 0472).

Expressions of interest close Friday 2nd April 2010.

Our goal this year is to establish a seed standards criteria for the industry.  After the seminar we decided to allocate some funds to this important issue.  We will be working towards creating a document setting out seed quality standards.  Then we will be looking at the implementation of procedures and establishing accreditation within the association.  Input from RIAWA members would be welcome and we will keep you informed of our progress.

Delia Baldock/Administration Officer

I’m working on a project to help Carnaby’s cockatoo that I’d appreciate any input from RIAWA members and/or attendees of the recent RIAWA symposium. I am developing a planting guide to help connect species that benefit Carnaby’s (i.e. species used for feeding, roosting or nesting) with site planting requirements (e.g. proximity to power lines or sewers, aesthetics, maintenance requirements, ease of establishment etc etc). 

Many attendees of the RIAWA symposium and RIAWA members are potential users of the guide. I would like to make it as user friendly and tailored to their needs as possible. Whether the task is to revegetate an area as a requirement of development approval, or to undertaking plantings of street verges, parks etc or a home garden it is hoped that guide that I am compiling will provide helpful advice. 

To help compile a list of species used by Carnaby’s I’d also appreciate any observations of Carnaby’s feeding, roosting or nesting. Feeding observations, where the plant species can be confidently identified, are particularly useful. 

If anyone would like to contribute observation or ideas, or would like to be kept informed on the progress or outcomes of the project, please contact me. 

Thanks, 

Christine Groom (nee Freegard)

Project Officer (Carnaby’s Cockatoo Recovery)

Species and Communities Branch

Department of Environment and Conservation

Ph: (08) 9334 0579

Fax: (08) 9334 0278

Groom (nee Freegard), Christine [Christine.Groom@dec.wa.gov.au]

The Seminar has been and gone and we have received lots of positive feedback. Twenty, illuminating speakers kept the audience engaged for the two days and promoted plenty of discussion. Plans will be developed shortly for another event next year…stay tuned.