Community Solutions

Clients

Community Solutions clients include large and small companies, government agencies and community groups. We have experience in a range of areas (see below) and also form collaborative teams to bring in particular expertise for our clients. From 2005 and 2006 we have worked with teams including Nina Harding Mediation Services: www.ninaharding.com and Colma Keating of Dinkum Results, Western Australia, and in teams led by SGS Economics & Planning P/L and by Tasmanian Land Conservancy.

Community Solutions undertakes projects for organisations working in the areas of the environment, women's and consumer/community issues. The partnership was established in 1993. Our client list over recent years shows the wide range of work undertaken in these areas for non-government and government clients. Community Solutions enjoys current membership of the Ethical Investment Association, Australasian Pacific Extension Network and Australian Women in Agriculture.

Recent Projects

2008 AND/OR ONGOING

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. For more information on the project please go to: http://lwa.gov.au/nativevegetation/.

Humane Society International (Aust)
Preparation of National Heritage nominations for various natural areas.

Land & Water Australia
Since May 2006 Judy Lambert has been the national R&D Coordinator for the 'Defeating the Weed Menace' programme.

Nature Conservation Council of NSW
Community Solutions, with Jane Elix Consulting, has recently completed the facilitation of the Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment component of the Hotspots Fire Management pilot project.  Hotspots is assisting landholders and public land managers in managing fire both for the protection of life and property and to ensure healthy, productive landscapes in which biodiversity is protected and maintained.  Judy continues to work with the Hotspots team to assist in developing an ongoing program. For details and photos about Hotspots follow this link HOTSPOTS

2006

Blue Circle Southern Cement, Berrima
Consultation and training, and community liaison (with Nina Harding Mediation Services) - ongoing since 2004; transferred to Jane Elix Consulting.

Blue Circle Southern Cement, Maldon
Community liaison and facilitation (with Nina Harding) - ongoing since 2004; transferred to Jane Elix Consulting.

Boral Asphalt
Consultation training and facilitation, and community liaison (with Nina Harding Mediation Services).

Cradle Coast NRM Committee
Facilitation of a national workshop defining the Ecological Character of Australian wetlands

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

Humane Society International (Aust)
Preparation of National Heritage nominations for various natural areas.

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

Land & Water Australia
Judy Lambert is the national R&D Coordinator for the 'Defeating the Weed Menace' programme.

Marrickville Council
Development and facilitation of a series of community meetings as part of the preparation of a new Urban Strategy for the area (in a consortium led by SGS Economics & Planning)

WWF
Australia Facilitation of community-based environmental management planning for Roebuck Bay, WA.

The Salvation Army
In collaboration with Nina Harding Mediation Services, Jane conducted a very sensitive case-management of the relocation of retired Salvation Army Officers and their families from their retirement village to allow for upgrading works on the village.

Baulkham Hills Shire Council
Jane facilitated 'Community Planning and Community Outcomes' meetings, 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 Centr
Water Workshop – facilitation

WWF Australia

(a) Threatened Species Recovery Planning Forum – planning and facilitation

“We have worked with Community Solutions on a number of occasions over a ten year period. Jane and Judy's considerable experience in community-based conservation processes has enabled us to focus on the end point of each project in the knowledge that the path to that end point was in expert hands.” (Nicola Marcus PhD, Program Leader-Species, WWF Australia, 11 April 2005)

(b) Roebuck Bay (WA) Shorebird Values Mapping Project and follow up workshop – Values Mapping, see link for details.

“Over the past three years we have worked with Community Solutions to help us develop community based guidelines for the management and protection of Roebuck Bay. Having worked with CS elsewhere, we were confident they could assist us in this ambitious project that involved many divergent views, competing interests and a unique cultural diversity. There were two deciding factors in our choice of Community Solutions: they bring a willingness and flexibility to successfully engage Aboriginal people and processes, and their ability to enable people to develop their own solutions in the spirit of understanding and respect”. (Tanya Vernes, Program Officer, Integrated Landscape Management, WWF Australia, Jan 2007)

(c) EPBC Unit Review

University Of Technology Sydney
Coaching