Land conservation district committees

Functions

Under section 24(1) of the Act, LCDCs have the following functions:

• on behalf of, and in accordance with any direction, approval or authorisation given by, the Commissioner:
  • to manage projects
  • to carry out or cause to be carried out works or practices, for preventing, remedying or mitigating land degradation and for promoting soil conservation and reclamation
• review, assess and report to the Commissioner on the effects of land use or land management on the condition of the land within its land conservation district
• develop, promote and, in accordance with any direction, approval or authorisation given by the Commissioner, implement programs of soil and land conservation within its land conservation district
• if any matter relating to land use, land degradation or soil conservation is referred to it by the Minister or the Commissioner, to consider and report on that matter to the Commissioner or the Minister, as the case requires
• make recommendations to, and to consult with, the Commissioner concerning any works, research, experimental or educational programs which may be necessary or desirable within its land conservation district
• make recommendations to the Minister in relation to rates and service charges
• make recommendations to the Minister or the Commissioner, as the case requires, on payment of funds from the Land Conservation District Fund
• perform such functions relating to land degradation and soil conservation as may be agreed between the Council and the Commissioner.

'Land degradation' as defined in the Act includes:

• soil erosion, salinity, eutrophication and flooding
• the removal or deterioration of natural or introduced vegetation, that may be detrimental to the present or future use of land.

In addition, an LCDC has such powers as are reasonably necessary to enable it to perform the functions set out above, including the power to employ persons to assist the committee carry out its functions.

Additional activities

In accordance with section 24(1) of the Act, the Commissioner can authorise an LCDC to undertake activities relevant to preventing land degradation or promoting soil conservation.

The Commissioner has determined that the following activities fall within the normal functions of an LCDC, and are therefore 'authorised':

• conduct committee and public meetings relating to land degradation and soil conservation
• conduct field days, seminars or workshops relating to land degradation and soil conservation
• implement land conservation demonstrations
• conduct tours to review land conservation, and land management issues and practices
• prepare and publish reports on land conservation issues
• produce newsletters/radio talks/press releases on land conservation issues
• provide land conservation advice
• manage land conservation equipment, such as tree planters
• monitor land degradation, treatments and activities (for example, installing piezometers)
• establish and coordinate the functions of catchment groups and volunteers
• undertake land conservation works with the approval of the landholder on private or public land
• undertake any project funded by the Commonwealth or state under community grants programs.

If an LCDC wants to undertake an activity that is not authorised above, it will need to gain written approval from the Commissioner.  

A person wishing to nominate to be a 'land user' member of an LCDC has the opportunity to do so at any time a committee is due for reappointment (generally every 3 years).

Existing members of LCDCs are eligible for reappointment. New members may also be appointed at any time during this 3-year period if there are vacancies on the committee.

The LCDC will advertise a public meeting calling for nominations for the committee. To be eligible for membership, a nominee must be actively engaged in land use within the district.

To find out more about LCDCs in your area, contact the Office of the Commissioner.

A person wishing to nominate to be a member of an LCDC for the first time should complete a nomination form before the public meeting. People intending to renominate need to give notice of their intention to renominate. These should then be handed to the Chair before the public meeting.