Beyond Bolac is a community group which was established in 2007 to undertake restoration of the Lake Bolac Catchment, including the Fiery Creek which flows into Lake Bolac and Salt Creek which flows from Lake Bolac to Hexham. Beyond Bolac aims to work with community groups, farmers, industry and government agencies to undertake restoration activities, which include fencing, revegetation, and pest plant and animal control.

It began in 2004, when concerned residents called a meeting with government department representatives and Glenelg Hopkins CMA officers to discuss the drying and future management of Lake Bolac. After and inspection of the Lake Bolac and its catchment were undertaken by CMA offices, the GHCMA released the ‘H11 & H12 Catchment Health Report, Lake Bolac, Fiery Creek and Salt Creeks’. The aim of the report was to review existing information on assets, current condition, threats, management options and information gaps.

A Standing Committee of local residents and government representatives was appointed by the GHCMA to work towards implementing the recommendations outlined in the H11 H12 Catchment Health Report. This grassroots community group was known then as the H11-H12 Catchment Action Group.  In 2010 the group decided to change their name to the ‘Beyond Bolac Catchment Action Group’.

The Norman Wettenhall Foundation (NWF) has been instrumental in Beyond Bolac CAG’s ongoing success. Beyond Bolac is one of seven large scale landscape restoration projects The Norman Wettenhall Foundation has invested in. The NWF will provide support and funding to increase the capacity of Beyond Bolac CAG to operate in a strategic way for the long term, enabling the group to successfully communicate and coordinate activities with its stakeholders and gain access to on-ground works funding.

Planning Session 2010

The Norman Wettenhall Foundation, now known as the Wettenhall Trust, helped BBCAG with two planning sessions in 2010. Past experiences, challenges and achievements were discussed.

The minutes from this first planning session can be downloaded here 

Another half day event saw the group tackle the future issues – both with the landscape and with project management. A vision document for Beyond Bolac's future direction was drafted, this can be downloaded here. 

The foundation for a long-term vision was established through these workshops. Planning for landscape change is an integral part of a group's operations.

The BBCAG group is grateful to North Central CMA Knowledge Broker and Wettenhall Trustee, Geoff Park, and Wettenhall Executive Officer, Beth Mellick who facilitated the half day events.

Vision 2007 – 2015

In 2007, BBCAG worked with the Glenelg Hopkins CMA to develop a planning document based on the Integrated Catchment Management principles. The aim was to develop an Integrated Catchment Management Plan for the whole of the H11 and H12 catchment.  

A copy of the Vision 2007 – 2015 can be downloaded here

Strategic Plan 2016-2021

In 2016, BBCAG again worked with Wettenhall Environment Trust and an external consultant to develop their Strategic Plan 2016 -2021. This document outlines the vison, aim and key objectives for the group to achieve over a 5 year period.

A full copy of the strategic plan 2016 – 2021 can be downloaded here.