Community Solutions

Clients

Community Solutions’ clients include government agencies at al levels, large and small companies and community groups. We have experience in a range of sustainability-relevant areas and also form collaborative teams to bring in particular expertise to meet client needs. Since 2006 we have worked with teams including Nina Harding Mediation Services (www.ninaharding.com.au), Sharon Griffiths (principal of Sharon Griffiths & Associates), Mike Williams (principal of Michael Williams & Associates), Julie Woodroffe (principal of Never Never Resources) and Siwan Lovett (principal of Lovett Clarke Consulting) as well as in teams led by SGS Planning & Economics, Urbis Pty Ltd and the Tasmanian Land Conservancy. 

Community Solutions undertakes projects in the areas of environment and natural resource management, urban sustainability and community issues. The business was established as a partnership in 1993.

Our client list over recent years illustrates the wide range of work undertaken for both government and non-government clients. Community Solutions enjoys current membership of the Responsible Investment Association of Australasia, the Australasia Pacific Extension Network and Australian Women in Agriculture.

Recent Projects

2009 AND/OR ONGOING

Nature Conservation Council of NSW & Rural Fire Service: Hotspots Fire Project
Through research, survey and advocacy work and as an independent facilitator and strategic adviser, Community Solutions has since 2007, assisted NCC in gaining support for the continuation of the Hotspots Fire Project. HOTSPOTS. Hotspots works with landholders, members of the community, scientists, Bushfire Brigades, the Rural Fire Service, Catchment Management Authorities and public land managers to assist them in managing fire both for protection of life and property and to ensure healthy, productive landscapes in which biodiversity is protected and maintained. Community Solutions managed the Hawkesbury-Nepean pilot project in 2007 and has since undertaken further work with the Catchment Management Authority there, as well as with Indigenous land owners in southern NSW and with Bushfire Management Committees. More recently Community Solutions has become involved in follow-up demonstration work being led by the NSW Rural Fire Service. (Ongoing)

Environmental Defenders’ Office (Vic)
Community Solutions is conducting for the EDO (Vic) a mid-term review of their Law and Policy Reform program, which is funded by the Legal Services Board. The project, which uses both literature review and semi-structured interviews, is both evaluative and is designed provide both accountability to the funding body and strategic advice to the EDO for its future work. (Ongoing).

Humane Society International (Australia)
In 2006 and 2007 Judy prepared a series of National Heritage nominations for places of outstanding natural heritage significance, some of which have since received national listing. In January 2010 Judy was again contracted to prepare further nominations. (Ongoing)

Roebuck Bay Management Planning
In 2004 Community Solutions worked with WWF Australia and the Roebuck Bay Working Group to complete a Values Mapping project designed to provide a basis for shared planning for the Ramsar-listed wetlands at Roebuck Bay near Broome, in the Kimberley region. Both this project and follow-up management planning in 2006 brought together a broad diversity of stakeholders with an interest in this area which is an internationally important habitat for migratory shorebirds. Since a recent determination of Native Title for the area, Judy Lambert has worked with Sharon Griffiths & Associates to prepare a Draft Management Plan for the Roebuck Bay wetlands and the surrounding area.

Urban Sustainability Support Alliance
Working with Emeritus Professor Valerie Brown during 2008 and 2009, Judy assisted the USSA Steering in using the diverse skills and intere4sts within the group to maximum benefit through integration and shared learning for sustainability. Facilitation and capacity building through collaborative learning were a key focus of this work.

Land & Water Australia: ‘Defeating the Weed Menace’ R&D Coordinator
Between May 2006 and October 2009 Judy Lambert was the national R&D Coordinator for the ‘Defeating the Weed Menace’ program – a significant commitment for Community Solutions. In addition to overseeing the 27 contracted research projects addressing weed problems of national significance, the program placed emphasis on disseminating the knowledge generated. This culminated in a suite of publications and a national series of forums which Judy organised in collaboration with state-based Weed Societies. For information on the program’s outputs go to www.lwa.gov.au/products.

2008

Land and Water Australia: Restoring Landscapes with Confidence
A Land and Water Australia project led by Dr Siwan Lovett of Lovett Clark Consulting and working with Dr Jann Williams and Dr Phil Price (December 2007 – May 2008) This project sought to assess how well the research, tools and information currently available, is being used by local groups involved in regional natural resource management as part of achieving on-ground outcomes. It examined how well the science that has been undertaken is embedded in day-to-day practical approaches, and investigated what makes some research able to be used so that it is relevant, meaningful and able to be easily integrated. In cases where the available research is not being used, it identified the impediments.

Nature Conservation Council of NSW Hotspots Fire Management Project
Through research, survey and advocacy work, Community Solutions assisted NCC in gaining financial support for the continuation of the Hotspots Fire Project beyond its pilot phase HOTSPOTS. Hotspots works with landholders, members of the community, scientists, volunteer Bushfire Brigades, the Rural Fire Service, Catchment Management Authorities and public land managers assisting them in managing fire both for the protection of life and property and to ensure healthy, productive landscapes in which biodiversity is protected and maintained. Community Solutions managed the Hawkesbury-Nepean Hotspots pilot project in 2007. The project outcomes were set to meet national and state objectives for sustainable natural resource management.

Humane Society International Australia
Judy has worked closely with staff at HSI (Australia) to prepare map-based proposals seeking improved national recognition of extensive areas of outstanding biodiversity and natural heritage significance, using National Heritage listing.

NSW Natural Resources Advisory Council
Working with Jane Elix Consulting to plan for, facilitate and report on a forum (June 2008) hosted by the NSW Natural Resources Advisory Council (NRAC) for projects which have received funding under the ‘Forging Partnerships’ program. Involving participants in a diversity of projects, the forum identified factors contributing to effective partnerships in practice, provided an opportunity for NRAC to further evaluate the achievement of the objectives of the Forging Partnership Program and explore future directions for the Program.

This project was a typical example of Community Solutions interests in natural resource management and bridging the gap between producers, scientists, governments and the community.

National Water Quality Management Strategy Workshop
Judy Lambert was engaged as expert advisor to the Urbis project team evaluating the impacts of a National Water Quality Management Strategy Workshop Series (March – May 2008).

Land and Water Australia
Since May 2006 Judy Lambert has been the national R&D Coordinator for the 'Defeating the Weed Menace' program. The ‘Defeating the Weeds Menace – National Weeds Research and Development Coordination’ project is a significant commitment for Community Solutions and is ongoing to April 2009. The work in 2008 has had considerable emphasis on disseminating the knowledge generated through the 25 research projects funded through this national program. For more information on the program go to: http://www.lwa.gov.au/Programs/Current_Programs/Defeating_the_Weed_Menace/index.aspx

Canterbury Council
In 2007 Canterbury Council commissioned a team led by SGS Economics & Planning, and involving Community Solutions and Architectus, to prepare an Economic Development and Employment Strategy for the area. Community Solutions were given the role of running the community engagement component of the project. Information was gathered through a series of workshops throughout the Canterbury local government area. Consultation targeted land owners and tenants who provide employment in the area, including industries, shop-keepers, home-based businesses, Chambers of Commerce, members of Council’s Economic Development Committee and others with an interest. This project is current and ongoing.

Urban Sustainability Support Alliance (USSA)
Working with Professor Valerie Brown, Judy is assisting the USSA steering committee in reaching its full potential in Integration and Shared Learning – facilitation and capacity building are a key focus of this ongoing work.

Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
Biodiversity Hotspots Stewardship, delivery agents workshop design and facilitation (July 2008), with Mike Williams.

Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
Low income housing and affordability – stakeholder workshop facilitation (Aug 2008), with Nina Harding.

Waminda Parker, Hotspots Fire Project, August 2008

"Really pleased with this report - many thanks for pulling it all together.
Heather - what a task with your follow up - well done.
This report will tick many boxes... and I completely concur with your recommendations and can only hope that we have the opportunity to follow it up.
It is an excellent baseline to report to the HN CMA, Advisory Committee, links to workshop 3, Caring for Our Country etc... etc...
Many thanks!!"
(Waminda Parker, Hotspots Fire Project, August 2008)

2007

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry
Judy was a member of a project team led by Jackie Ohlin of Urbis JHD, which prepared a report on the barriers to and opportunities for increasing the participation of women and young people in agriculture, fisheries, forestry and natural resource management industry sectors and the organisations which represent those sectors. The project also entailed identifying a range of potential strategies for industry and government to support the improved participation of women and young people in food and fibre industries.

Baulkham Hills Shire Council
Facilitation of ‘Community Planning and Community Outcomes’ meetings.

Humane Society International (Aust)
Land & Water Australia
Nature Conservation Council of NSW
Projects with these clients progressed beyond 2007 and are reported in later years (above).

2006

Department of the Environment & Heritage
Planning, coordination, facilitation and reporting on an Australian Government hosted national workshop defining the Ecological Character Description process for Australian wetlands. (May 2006).

Cradle Coast NRM Committee
Working with the Tasmanian Land Conservancy and Birds Tasmania, and the diversity of stakeholders in the Robbins Passage/Boullanger Bay area of far-northwest Tasmania, to develop a Draft Plan of Management for that nationally significant wetland and the surrounding area. (Completed December 2006).

Greening Australia
Facilitation of Exchange native vegetation knowledge service introduction and related conference workshop.

Institute of Environmental Studies (UNSW)
Design and presentation of graduate short-course in Community Participation.

Marrickville Council
Development and facilitation of a series of community meetings which formed the community engagement part of the preparation of a new Urban Strategy for the Local Government Area. This project, completed bya consortium led by SGS Economics & Planning, was an award winner at the national Planning Institute Awards.

Humane Society International (Australia): National Heritage nominations
Land & Water Australia: National Weeds R&D Coordination
WWF Australia: Roebuck Bay management planning
Projects with these clients progressed beyond 2006 and are reported in later years (above).

Blue Circle Southern Cement, Berrima
Blue Circle Southern Cement, Maldon
Boral Asphalt
These consultation, training and community liaison projects were transferred to Jane Elix Consulting early in 2007.

2005

Boral Clay and Concrete
Consultation training and facilitation (with Nina Harding)

Department of Environment and Heritage
National Conservation Incentives Forum - workshop facilitation

RES-Southern Cross Wind Energy
Community Liaison and project advice

River Murray Catchment Water Management Board
Capacity Building Guide (with Lucy Sharman)

LEADR
Coaching (with Nina Harding)

University of Technology Sydney
Law lecture

Western Australian Department of Employment and Consumer Protection
Community Engagement Project (with Colma Keating, Dinkum Results)

2003-2004

Australian National University
Facilitation – Social Learning for Sustainability

Boral
Winter Environment Forum – facilitation

CSIRO
Ord-Bonaparte project – debrief facilitation

Greening Australia
Planning Facilitation

Land and Water Australia
Grassy Box Woodland Publication Workshop

Land and Water Australia
Valuing Biodiversity Workshop – Facilitation

Local Government Sustainability Workshop
Facilitation

Natural Heritage Trust funded project
Grassy Box Woodland – with a diversity of project partners including government agencies, a university and a Non-government environment organisation

Pfizer
Health Projects – facilitation

Pfizer/Schizophrenia Foundation
Best Practice Forum – facilitation

St John Ambulance
Review and consultations (with Nina Harding)

Total Environment Centre
Water Workshop – facilitation

WWF Australia

(a) Threatened Species Recovery planning forum – planning, facilitation and reporting

(b) Roebuck Bay (WA) Shorebird Values Mapping project and follow-up

(c) EPBC Unit Review