Evaluation

Evaluation of CMA, Coastal Board and Melbourne Water Community Reference Committee Models

Evaluation of a range of approaches to Community Reference Committees (CRCs) and to make recommendations for best practice and operation. Data collected for the project included a comprehensive literature review and a range of consultation activities (focus groups, targeting interviews and an on-line survey) with all the CMAs and NRM bodies. A status report and framework was developed to guide NRM bodies in Victoria about best practice and operation of Community Reference Committees.

Evaluation of ‘Benalla Bounce’ Mental Health and Wellbeing Community Project

During 2011-2012 The Department of Health commenced five projects in the Hume Region that were funded through the Community Mental Health Planning and Service Coordination Initiative. One of these projects was “Benalla Bounce”. The goal of this project was to strengthen and promote mental health and wellbeing in the Benalla West community through community development, health promotion and social inclusion strategies, and a range of planned and targeted interventions. The evaluation determined the outcomes of Benalla Bounce project including what worked and didn’t work and why, sustainability of the project, key successes and achievements and Key Learnings. The outcome of the evaluation included recommendations for an alternate model/tool for consideration.

Evaluation of the Hume Region Housing, Justice and Mental Health Project

The project was part of the Community Mental Health Planning and Service Coordination (CMHPSC) Initiative which was established to support the implementation of the Victorian Mental Health Reform Strategy at the local level, engaging a range of agencies to improve mental health outcomes for local populations. The overall aim of the project was to ensure the provision of improved support and long term housing options for people exiting prison, especially those with mental illness, so that they are able to achieve improved quality of life (Project Description – December 2102 Quarterly Report). The purpose of the Project Evaluation is to document a basic overview/timeline of the project from the perspectives of the participating stakeholder organisations, identify key outcomes from the project and identify learnings from the project for use on future projects (and by other services).

Implications of Grazing Management for Biodiversity Conservation and Productivity Outcomes in Threatened Grassy Woodlands of Northern Victoria

An evaluation undertaken as part of a $1.2M project, titled Improving Grassy Woodlands of Northern Victoria. The project was funded by the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country initiative and the Victorian Government’s Natural Resources Investment Program. It is supported by a range of partners including the North Central Catchment Management Authority (NCCMA), the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment, Trust for Nature and the Australian National University. The North East Catchment Management Authority (NECMA) is the lead project partner. The project is located in Victoria’s North East and North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) regions. The aim of the Evaluation was to assess the implications of grazing management for biodiversity conservation and productivity outcomes, in the context of two EPBC Acts listed threatened species and ecological communities (“threatened grassy woodlands”).

Enhancing CMA Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

The North East CMA established this project on behalf of all Victorian CMAs to identify issues and opportunities for enhancing their Monitoring Evaluation and Reporting (MER) processes and developing more effective, integrated MER. The purpose of the project was to develop a common CMA reporting approach for Resource Condition Targets (RCTs) and Management Action Targets (MATs). The RCTs and MATs address all aspects of the environment including water management and use. In doing so the project assists in addressing a number of issues including (i) ensuring alignment between CMA monitoring and reporting and State and national monitoring and reporting initiatives; (ii) enhancing CMA capacity to report to their regional communities on progress with natural resource management; and (iii) enhancing the capacity of CMAs to use the outcomes of monitoring and reporting in their investment planning and preparation of Catchment Condition Reports and Regional Catchment Strategies (RCSs).

Landowner Evaluation, Irrigation Modernisation and Connections

This project involved the evaluation of landowners throughout Northern Victoria to gauge their satisfaction with the Farm Irrigation Assessment Program, connections and modernisation. This project involved survey, evaluation and analysis of the modernisation program. This evaluation formed part of the NVIRP Connections Program Quality Assurance Framework. One hundred landholders were surveyed as part of the evaluation. Survey techniques included a mailed survey and “face to face” interviews.

Evaluation of the Status of Completion of Approved Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CMA) Regional Catchment Strategy Activities

Catchment Management Authorities in Victoria (CMAs) have developed comprehensive natural resource management plans (the Regional Catchment Strategy) to guide future investment and activity in a strategic and deliberate manner. Central to these plans are themed based catchment targets (Resource Condition Targets) aligned to the aspirational statements of desired states of catchment health and Management Action Targets (MATs) that articulate the vehicle for achieving the Resource Condition Targets (RCTs). This project involved an audit of the progress towards four Resource Condition Targets (RCTs) within the Corangamite Regional Catchment Strategy which have been selected by the Corangamite CMA. These have been selected out of approximately 50 RCTs which focus on a selection of disciplines across the asset threat framework. The key driver for the audit was to assess whether there are logical causal relationships between management actions and resource condition change required to meet the RCTs. In doing so, this audit provides the opportunity for identification of deficiencies and changes in management responses prior to renewal of the Corangamite RCS in 2008.