Management Plan

The mission of the Lake Cowal Foundation is “to protect and enhance the Lake Cowal environment”. The Lake Cowal Foundation has the opportunity to make a considerable contribution to environmental management in and around Lake Cowal and direct catchment areas.

• The plan of management of the LCF was the result of extensive community consultation, reviews of existing documents, management plans and other organisational frameworks. It also considered the needs and aspirations of the local community and landscape systems processes as well as the local social and political environments. In essence the plan aimed to provide a framework that would:
   
  Compliment existing or proposed projects of a range of organisations and or groups (eg. Barrick, Bland Creek Catchment Committee (BCCC), Lake Cowal Landholders Association (LCLA), Jemalong Irrigation, Lachlan Catchment Management Authority, Landcare Groups, Shire Councils, Rural Lands Protection Boards, Government Departments etc);
• Operate within and towards the objectives and frameworks such as the Lachlan Catchment Blueprint, Mid Lachlan Regional Vegetation Plan, Bland Creek Catchment Management Plan, Jemalong Land and Water Management Plan, Water Sharing Plan etc;
• Recognise the scale of impact and management required in reversing long-term environmental degradation;
• Consider the issues, concerns and aspirations of the local community as well as their ideas and opinions in the role of the Lake Cowal Foundation;
• Recognise the importance of the wider community and the power of information and communication in instigating and adopting change;
• Determine information gaps and critical research areas and ensure appropriate support is provided;
• Recognise the practicalities and logistical requirements associated with an ephemeral wetland system;
• Determine the long-term objectives, maintenance requirements and how these will be funded beyond the life of Cowal Gold Project; and importantly
• Maintain strong focus on the ecological requirements for the long-term sustainability of Lake Cowal.

The key project areas by which the LCF has become actively involved in presently include:

• Conservation;
• Research and research support;
• Sustainable farming; and
• Community education and training.

These have been illustrated in the following diagram, click on the thumbnail to view the image..