Did you know Queensland’s Landcare movement has deep roots stretching back to the 1960s? 🌱 It began with local soil conservation discussion groups on the Darling Downs, focusing on ways to combat erosion. By the 1970s, Soil Conservation Advisory Group Committees (AGCs) were in place on the Darling Downs and Lower Burnett, advising on erosion hazards—but these were later disbanded in the 1980s.
Momentum grew in 1981 with the formation of the Locker Watershed Management Committee, and between 1983 and 1987, grassroots groups sprang up in places like Miles, Inglewood, Charleville, Calliope, Goondiwindi, and from the remnants of those original AGCs.
Meanwhile in Victoria in 1986 the Landcare movement began focusing on community-driven solutions for land degradation. In February 1988, the Cattlemen’s Union (led by Jock Douglas) called for Land Care Committees across Queensland, sparking new groups in Charters Towers (Dalrymple), Gympie, Roma (Maranoa), and possibly the Central and North Burnett regions. The former AGC groups grew too, and by the end of 1988, ten separate groups were active, including Allora, Cambooya, Chinchilla, Clifton, Dalby/Wambo, Glengallan, Pittsworth, Rosalie, Isis, and Kolan.
Official support from the Queensland Government kicked off in April 1989. By late that year, the Landcare program was formally launched under Don Begbie, along with the Queensland Landcare Council to guide the program’s future. Five Regional Landcare Facilitator positions were created in Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Dalby, Roma, and Toowoomba, helping new groups get started all over the state. In 1990 the Federal Government announced the Decade of Landcare.
The results? In just a couple of years, Landcare in Queensland exploded from only six groups at the end of 1989 to over 100 by 1991!
Today, Queensland Water and Land Carers represents over 520 member groups and 51,000 volunteers across Queensland.
Thanks to passionate volunteers, strong local leadership, and government support, these Landcare groups have changed the landscape for Queensland’s communities and environment. 💚 #Landcare #Queensland #Qwalcmember @dalrymplelandcare @QueenslandGovernment @landcareaustralia @nationallandcarenetwork
The image was supplied by Dalrymple Landcare Committee Inc. It is from a field day held at ‘Highgrove” in June 1990. Inspecting the drum seeder are (L-R) Chris Allingham, Fletcher Vale, and Tom Mann, Hillgrove.
In 2025 we celebrate 21 years! For more information on our 21st Celebrations, August 30, 2025 go to https://qwalc.org.au/qwalc-21st-celebrations/