24 April 2015

The lack of rainfall and salinity appear to be the biggest environmental concerns for people living in the Wheatbelt.

More than 450 people took part in a survey carried out by natural resource management group Wheatbelt Natural Resource Management (NRM).

The survey was designed to find out what the biggest environmental concerns were in local communities and if they were being addressed.

More than a quarter of respondents also identified recycling as a key household activity they do for the environment.

Wheatbelt NRM’s Karen Smith said the surveys were sent throughout 24 of the region’s shires and conducted in partnership with local Community Resource Centers (CRC’s).

“Wheatbelt NRM is government funded, but it’s managed by a community-based board,” Karen Smith said.

“This survey helps us keep in touch with what the community thinks about natural resource management.

“We can now start to sift through the information to improve our programs and focus on meeting the needs of people living in the Wheatbelt.”

Last financial year Wheatbelt NRM carried out 27 projects with a budget of $4.9 million.

To encourage people to take part in the survey, a number of prizes were offered.

Rose Crane from Tammin won the remote camera sensor, Phil and Wilma Pickering from Dowerin won the iPad mini and David Dunne from Beacon won the Book Package.