Instead, we opted to go down the path of engagement and partnership to build industry capacity and change behaviours over time.’
He is convinced it was this ‘one-team’ approach that produced their industry-leading environmental management support package – a toolkit developed specifically for contractors to understand environmental risk, risk management strategies and how to develop and implement effective documented management systems.
Support was crucial, says Michael. ‘Following the implementation of the system and the requirement for all contractors to develop environmental management plans, we further supported our contractors through tool-box talks, industry presentations, a “help-line” email address and free staff advice when required. The final, and perhaps the most important step, of “bringing the plans to life” through effective implementation was further supported through on the ground monitoring, advice and education.’
With a concerted effort and, importantly, buy-in from all levels – from senior management to the digger driver – Michael says the organization saw ‘the quantifiable number of environmental incidents drop significantly, while the intangibles of improved industry reputation, contractor buy-in, client – contractor relationships and demonstrated industry best practice increased dramatically.’
 | Key word highlighter: Go through the case study and highlight elements that are in the 7-step model and Jay Wilson’s Charlotte-Mecklenburg program. What other elements, issues and opportunities can you see? Jot your findings down on Action Sheet 3.2. |
Voluntary community riparian enhancement programs
In 2001, the then Auckland Regional Council released a riparian management strategy42 that acknowledged the adverse impacts of land development and farming on the region’s streams. The Strategy aims to address land ownership problems by promoting voluntary measures, including community-based initiatives, and by providing support and information to encourage rather than require riparian zone restoration, protection or enhancement, while using mandatory options when converting land for more intensive developments. It was accompanied by a detailed Guideline and Planting Guide.
Rather than setting a numerical goal for regional coverage of riparian areas, the Strategy highlighted areas most likely to deliver beneficial terrestrial and aquatic outcomes in the following major land use categories:
Within each of these areas, the Strategy’s goal was to:
It also aimed to improve public understanding of the importance of riparian vegetation in watershed ecosystems, and, coupled with well-defined goals and environmental values, to lead to a widespread acceptance of riparian zone management as a good tool for integrated watershed management. It encouraged a wide range of land owners and/or community interests to form or join Land Care groups or watershed associations and take part in riparian activities in their neighbourhood.
While it also included some policy and regulatory approaches, the Strategy supported voluntary activities by a wide range of groups, including:
The Council offered training workshops on an as-required basis to such interested parties, and this training now falls under the aegis of the new Auckland Council.
Trainees are given a free copy of the Strategy, Guideline and Planting Guide, as well as a practical workbook. They are encouraged to bring along maps and photos of their own property for discussion. They visit a stream that is suitable for riparian restoration, where they draw a stream bank profile, refer to the Planting Guide to select plants that are suitable for the different riparian zones, and draw up a planting plan and map to present to the other attendees for helpful feedback.
For those attending, support to fulfil their riparian restoration vision was available through the Council’s Environmental Initiatives Fund (EIF). Many attendees applied for EIF funding and it was an important mechanism for implementing the Council’s riparian strategy on the ground: a significant proportion of EIF grants were for riparian fencing and planting. As ecologist Shona Myers, one of the Council trainers, pointed out, this reinforces the fact that the best training is part of a full policy package.
The great thing about this project was that it built capacity in two important areas:
