LBCCG is a small community group formed in 1992 that seeks to reduce the threats to water quality throughout the Lake Baroon catchment by implementing on-ground works, education and awareness programs. Formed with the support of then Dam managers, AquaGen, the group originally worked with a small budget to implement on ground and educational projects in the catchment. which has now grown to enable the employment of a dedicated full-time Project Manager.
In 2007 LBCCG signed a funding agreement with AquaGen (merged with Seqwater in 2008) and the Queensland State Government to provide 10 years project funding and administrative support including a dedicated office building with excellent facilities. This funding agreement had been years in development and allowed LBCCG to take a far more proactive approach to catchment management and expand activities. To their credit Seqwater continued to honour the Ten Year Agreement post merger with LBCCG. The Agreement permitted a full-time Catchment Officer position and provided generous funds for larger projects.
In 2015 LBCCG produced the report “Lake Baroon Catchment Care Group – Towards a new funding agreement with Seqwater“. This Report was completed in response to the nearing of the end of the Ten Year Agreement and the need to ensure a new Agreement was in place well before the expiry of the old. The new ‘Contribution Agreement’ continues to provide certainty for a Catchment Officer, CORE project funding (administration and various source protection projects with rural landholders) and office facilities but also provides the mechanism to implement Seqwater Strategic Catchment Improvement Programs (SCIP) – currently Landslides, Weeds and Dairy, which has necessitated the employment of more staff. Sunshine Coast Council has recognised the importance of the new arrangement and provides support through a Community Partnership (Environment Levy Partnership Funding Program) which has been critical for our expansion and ability to support catchment landowners.
LBCCG delivers effective, large scale best practice projects designed to reduce the risks to water quality in the catchment and ultimately Lake Baroon. Our status as a not-for-profit community organisation ensures cost effective implementation with high levels of voluntary contribution by a local community passionate about clean water and a healthy environment. Furthermore we are able to apply for additional Commonwealth, State and Local government funding to value add to Seqwater funded projects and programs.
LBCCG is ideally placed in the community to implement projects in the Lake Baroon Catchment that deliver significant water quality benefits. Over the past 20 years LBCCG has developed and maintained trust within the local community, with numerous projects successfully implemented.
“Our excellent staff and committee members do a great job and have made LBCCG one of the leading catchment groups in our area” (Peter Stevens – President)
