Western Murray Land Improvement Group

What Western Murray Land Improvement Group does

Western Murray Land Improvement Group Inc. (WMLIG) is a not-for-profit organization and registered charity established in 2003 and headquartered in Barham, New South Wales. Operating across approximately 7,500 square kilometres of the Murray River Council footprint and select cross-border areas of Northern Victoria, WMLIG convenes regional producers, landholders, Indigenous groups, government agencies, and industry associations around five pillars: Ag Research, Development and Extension; Industry Diversification; Landcare; Environmental Services; and Environmental Markets. The organization runs roughly 28 active projects at any given time, hosts more than 150 events and workshops annually, and serves as a Landcare host organization and member of the Murray Landcare Collective. Its core "products" are programs such as the Resilient Pastures Project (targeting 4,000 hectares, 2021-2025), the Barham Lakes Project, On-Farm Water Management, and environmental markets advisory including carbon accounting and natural capital work with partner Regen Farmers Mutual. WMLIG operates two wholly-owned subsidiaries: Murray Connect, a co-working space and community hub in Barham launched in 2019 with FRRR and Murray River Council support, and Murray Industrial Hemp (MIH), a profit-for-purpose initiative created in 2021 to develop industrial hemp as a regional summer crop. The business model is primarily grant-funded, supplemented by a $50 annual membership, customized sponsorship packages, and modest co-working space rental income. The organization is governed by a 10-member volunteer board, employs around 9-10 staff, and has no proprietary technology platform; its competitive position rests on 21 years of community trust, cross-border convening capability, and structural role as administrative backbone for smaller regional groups.

Name

Western Murray Land Improvement Group

Legal name

Western Murray Land Improvement Group Inc.

Website

https://westernmurraylig.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Western Murray Land Improvement Group is a Barham, NSW-based not-for-profit charity founded in 2003 that convenes regional producers, landholders, and government partners across the Murray-Darling Basin to deliver agricultural RD&E, Landcare coordination, environmental services, and natural capital advisory programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community-led agricultural extension and Landcare services

NAICS

Support Activities for Forestry (115310), Farm Management Services (115116), Support Activities for Forestry (1153)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700), Forestry (800)

akta.pro primary industry

Forestry & Reforestation (BPAGAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Forestry & Indigenous Land Stewardship Services (IMAMAJAM), Grassland/Rangeland Management & Restoration (EUABABAF)

Keywords

• Agricultural extension services
• Landcare coordination
• Environmental conservation services
• Natural resource management
• Rural community development

Headquarters

HQ city

Barham

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: WMLIG operates primarily as a not-for-profit group relying on grant funding from government agencies, foundations, and programs to deliver community projects and initiatives across agricultural research, environmental services, and community development.
2. Membership Fees: Annual membership is $50 per person, valid for 12 months from confirmation. Members receive access to workshops, events, networking opportunities, Murray Connect discounts, and quarterly newsletters.
3. Sponsorship: Sponsorship packages available for businesses and organizations to partner with WMLIG and gain exposure to producers, land custodians, and community members within the area of operation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Western Murray Land Improvement Group is a not-for-profit Landcare host organization that convenes farmers, landholders, Indigenous groups, councils and industry to deliver community projects across agricultural research and extension, industry diversification, Landcare coordination, environmental services and environmental markets. It operates Murray Connect, a co-working and community hub in Barham NSW, and runs targeted projects such as the Resilient Pastures Project, Barham Lakes restoration, Industrial Hemp initiative, and on-farm water management. Core funding comes from grants, individual memberships ($50/year) and sponsorship packages.

Product overview

Western Murray Land Improvement Group is a not-for-profit community organization offering a diverse portfolio of services focused on agricultural innovation, environmental conservation, and regional development. The organization provides Murray Connect (co-working space and community hub), environmental markets services (natural capital and carbon initiatives), agricultural RD&E projects, Landcare coordination, environmental services (revegetation, wildlife surveys), and industry diversification support including industrial hemp exploration. Key projects include the Barham Lakes Project (fish nursery restoration), Resilient Pastures Project (4,000ha grazing improvement), and On-Farm Water Management Program. The organization operates as a Landcare host and facilitates community engagement, capacity building, and economic sustainability initiatives across the Murray River region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Murray Connect: A co-working space and community hub located in Barham NSW, functioning as a community initiative to connect people, industry and research for facilitating adaptation and growing economic sustainability within the region.

Products and services

• Murray Connect Murray Connect is WMLIG's co-working space and community hub located in Barham NSW. It provides private office rental, meeting room hire, hot-desking, community workshops, educational services, information services, eco and agri-tourism support, funding advice and mentoring opportunities to local producers, landholders, businesses and community members.
• Resilient Pastures Project The Resilient Pastures Project is an agricultural extension and demonstration program running 2021-2025 that works with landholders to improve farming and grazing practices on previously irrigated land reverted to dryland. It aims to enhance 4,000 hectares of farming and grazing practices across the region and has engaged 30 landholders in adaptive natural resource management and drought-tolerant pasture systems.
• CluBarham Lakes Precinct Project (Barham Lakes Project) The Barham Lakes Project is a community environmental restoration project aimed at establishing a threatened native small-bodied fish nursery and refuge site within the Barham Lakes complex habitat. It engages local schools and community groups, including Barham Landcare, to deliver ecological rehabilitation outcomes.
• Industrial Hemp Initiative The Industrial Hemp Initiative explores industrial hemp as a viable summer crop for the Western Murray region. It encompasses feasibility studies, grower trials, and the development of business structures for the spin-off Murray Industrial Hemp (MIH), targeting more than 200 potential growers and investors with hemp processing and block manufacturing opportunities.
• Environmental Markets Services Environmental Markets Services provide WMLIG members and local farmers with carbon footprint reporting, natural capital income potential assessment, and farm-specific data for carbon emissions and environmental investment. The service supports participation in environmental markets and carbon planting projects (e.g., $11,000-$25,000/year income potential on a 25ha carbon planting project at current prices).
• Environmental Services Environmental Services cover project management, stakeholder engagement, revegetation, environmental watering projects, and wildlife surveys to protect and improve land, waterways and ecological conditions across the Western Murray region. Reporting includes 28 active projects, 1,564 trees planted and 9 hectares of revegetation completed in 2021-2022.
• Ag Research, Development and Extension Ag Research, Development and Extension (Ag RD&E) projects help producers increase efficiencies through new technologies, systems and techniques across animal and crop nutrition, yield improvement, and disease management, delivered through workshops, forums and on-farm trials with industry partners.
• Landcare Coordination Landcare Coordination delivers community-based natural resource management, including education opportunities, school group involvement, and facilitation of workshops on invasive species management in partnership with Landcare NSW and the Murray Landcare Collective.
• Industry Diversification Industry Diversification projects explore income stream alternatives for producers, including value-adding products, trialling new crops such as industrial hemp, and developing off-farm business opportunities to reduce dependence on traditional agricultural income.
• On-Farm Water Management Program The On-Farm Water Management Program helps farmers prepare and implement on-farm water management plans through storage assessments, design actions and demonstration sites. It supports agricultural resilience to declining irrigation water availability across the Western Murray region.
• Annual Membership Annual Membership costs $50 per person, valid for 12 months from confirmation. Members receive voting input on community priorities via annual surveys, access to workshops and events, networking opportunities with producers and community members, a 30% discount at Murray Connect (private offices, meeting room hire, hot-desking), a quarterly newsletter and What's On email updates.
• Sponsorship Packages Sponsorship Packages are customised partnership offerings for businesses and organisations seeking exposure to WMLIG's community of producers, land custodians and community members in the Murray River region. Pricing is tailored per partner.

Quantifiable outcome

• 28 active projects delivered with 1,915 event attendees and 1,564 trees planted (2021-2022)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Murray Landcare CollectivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWMLIG is a Landcare host organization and together with four other groups forms the Murray Landcare Collective, providing collaborative regional landcare coordination.
• CluBarhamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary funder and partner for the Barham Lakes Project. CluBarham funds the restoration and enhancement of the Barham Lakes complex habitat.
• Murray River CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided $5,000 to begin lease contract for old Barham Catholic School building for Murray Connect. Partner on Building Our Communities in Advance project via Drought Communities Program.
• Central Murray BestWool BestLambcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership delivering Resilient Pastures Project. WMLIG provides administrative support and communications for joint events including annual Wakool Sheep Night and practical workshops.
• Murray Local Land ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner on multiple projects including On-Farm Grain Storage workshops, pest management, drought resilience planning. Co-funded Southern Riverina Drought Resilience Plan.
• Ricegrowers' Association of AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint initiative partner for Painted Snipe & Bittern Walk. Partner on Water for Wildlife and Rice project and Environmental Champions Program.
• Rice ExtensioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegular partner on agricultural RD&E projects including Business & Technology Forum, Women in Rice networking events, and Breaking New Ground forum.
• Moulamein Cropping GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint partner on Rice Stubble Management project and Boosting Yield trials. Group established to provide agricultural extension and deliver cropping research relevant to Moulamein area.
• Landcare NSWcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerManaging Established Pest Animals and Weeds (MEPAAW) project working with Landcare groups across NSW to facilitate workshops on invasive species management.
• Koondrook Perricoota Alliance (KPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWMLIG provides governance and administrative support to KPA. Alliance formed by Joint Indigenous Group (JIG) and Community Operational and Planning Assessment Committee (COPAC) for Koondrook-Perricoota Forest management.
• Forestry CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWMLIG assists Forestry Corporation to engage and communicate with stakeholders on Living Murray Project and forest management activities.
• Joint Indigenous Group (JIG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMade up of Barapa Barapa, Yorta Yorta, Deniliquin and Moama Local Aboriginal Land Councils. WMLIG works collaboratively on project development, community engagement, cultural heritage surveys, and forest management.
• Young Country NetworkersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInclusive group for community members aged 18-45. Collaborated on Young Farmers Business Program hosting events including Wakool Feedlot Day.
• Barham LandcarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported group focused on local native plants and Federation Botanical Reserve enhancement. Partner on Barham Lakes Project for ecological outcomes and rehabilitation.
• Edward Wakool Angling AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRepresents collective interests of Angling Clubs in Western Murray Catchment. Involved in fish research, water management, and restocking programs.
• RegionalitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in developing Wakool Agri-Innovation Program, delivering Business Development programming and undertaking research into digital trading infrastructure (Agrisystem).
• The Wedge GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompiled pre-feasibility study for Industrial Hemp Project to determine viability as summer crop in Western Murray region (2021-2023).
• Murray Irrigation LimitedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on Mid-row Banding nitrogen trial funding and water-related initiatives in the region.
• Regen Farmers MutualcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFarmer-owned environmental goods and services broker. Partner providing updates on natural capital and environmental market opportunities for WMLIG members.
• Berrigan ShirecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of Southern Riverina Councils collaborative Drought Resilience Plan along with Edward River, Federation, and Murray River councils.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• North Central Catchment Management Authority: Victorian CMA covering a similar Murray-region geography with comparable NRM, agricultural extension, and community engagement mandate. Operates across WMLIG's cross-border sphere of influence into Northern Victoria.
• Mallee Catchment Management Authority: Victorian CMA covering the Mallee region with comparable Murray-Darling Basin agricultural and NRM focus. Similar structure of agricultural extension, revegetation, and Indigenous engagement in a regional context.
• Murray Catchment Management Authority: NSW Catchment Management Authority working on the Murray-Darling Basin with overlapping landholder, Indigenous co-management, and water management portfolios. Comparable regional NRM authority structure.
• WetlandCare Australia: National NFP focused on wetland restoration, revegetation, and biodiversity projects with farmer and Indigenous community engagement. Directly comparable to WMLIG's Barham Lakes Project and environmental watering work on the Murray floodplain.
• Trust for Nature: Victorian conservation NFP working on private land conservation covenants and biodiversity protection. Comparable model as a community-focused NFP delivering environmental outcomes on agricultural land in shared Murray corridor geography.

Broad incumbents

• Greening Australia: Australia's largest environmental NFP focused on reforestation, revegetation, and ecosystem restoration nationwide. Directly comparable to WMLIG's Landcare, environmental services, and tree-planting work, but operates at national scale rather than single-region.
• Local Land Services NSW: State statutory body delivering agricultural advice, NRM, biosecurity, and emergency response across NSW. WMLIG partners with the Murray LLS region on drought resilience, pest management, and Landcare coordination.
• Landcare Australia: National peak body for the Landcare movement, coordinating thousands of community groups across Australia. WMLIG is a Landcare host organization and member of the Murray Landcare Collective, making this a direct umbrella peer for community-led NRM work.

Emerging players

• Regen Farmers Mutual: Farmer-owned broker for environmental goods and ecosystem services. Listed as a WMLIG partner providing natural capital updates to members; serves adjacent value chain by connecting WMLIG members to emerging environmental markets.

Regional players

• South East Local Land Services: Neighboring NSW LLS region with similar agricultural extension, NRM, and community engagement mandate. Comparable scale and operating model, but in a different geographic catchment from WMLIG.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/western-murray-land-improvement-group

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Western Murray Land Improvement Group