Property Management Plan - The 'Big' Picture
Does not have to be done all at once – gradually build up and refine the plan over the course of months.
Advantages of a Property Management Plan
- Summarizes property information in one place.
- Shows long-term goals.
- It is a living/evolving document.
- Articulates priorities.
- ‘Ready to go’ if a grant round becomes available.
- Focuses on the broad picture, your aspirations and resources.
- Demonstrates you have thought deeply about your property, its infrastructure and environment.
Priorities might include:
- Economic (cropping/animals).
- Environmental (regeneration and restoration):
- Are there slip areas or critical erosion areas?
- Are creek/riparian areas in good health?
- Is there existing natural vegetation under threat?
- Have historic practices caused problems e.g. soil compaction?
- Infrastructure items:
- To support the business.
- To support lifestyle (e.g. install solar hot water system).
Example of Contents
1. Site Description and History
- a. Landowner details and property location
- b. Maps
- c. Topography
- d. Soils
- e. Vegetation
- f. History
2. Farm Action Plan
- a. Current land use
- b. Future land use
- c. Identification of priorities
- d. Implementation strategies (funding & timing etc)
3. Legislation
- a. Chemical use
- b. Occupation work and safety
- c. Threatened species
4. Restoration Strategy
- a. Natural regeneration
- b. Restoration work
5. Monitoring of Restoration Activities
- a. Log of in-kind work and expenses
- b. Photo points
- c. Monitoring bush restoration (species recording)
6. Education
- a. Courses/activities to improve my skills
- b. Field days to showcase property to community
7. Appendices (e.g. flora and fauna lists, weeds present, control techniques, threatened species on property)
Some resources
Site Action Plan - Defined, individual projects
Matching goals with resources/funding to result in identifiable outcomes.
- Identification of work site (e.g. for bush restoration.)
- What are the objectives? Congruence with property goals.
- What resources are available? (e.g. financial but your time as a resource)
- What is the time frame? (e.g. one off or annual commitment.)
- How much follow up will you do to a regeneration site? (e.g. if ongoing commitment then good access to site and convenient location may be important.)
- Do you have flexibility to do the work (kill weeds/plant trees/follow up maintenance) at optimum time?
- Is the work supported by a grant? (If yes, select site/project that will show tangible outcomes within the time frame of the grant.)
- Monitoring
- Select photo points and take before photos and set intervals for follow up photos.
- Use an enduring, recognizable object to reference photo.
- Keep detailed records of in-kind hours, herbicides & equipment used.
- When applying for a grant it is impressive if you are able to show a site you have worked on with associated records.