Jan Star OAM

Jan Star farms near Jarradale and has had an exemplary life working for the environment in landcare, local government and other roles.

Jan was a member of the Serpentine-Jarrahdale LCDC and a founding member of Landcare SJ and during the same period, as a Councillor, Jan was instrumental in Council’s decision to base it’s Rural Planning Strategy on land capability mapping. This was a breakthrough moment for locally led management of the sensitive Peel-Harvey catchment.

Jan was also a key person in the establishment of the Serpentine-Jarrahdale Water Watchers, a local group whose monitoring program significantly altered the scientific understanding of nutrient loss from the catchment.

During her time as a Councillor Jan was a strong advocate for landcare and the environment in the WA Local Government Association.

Jan was founding Chair of the Peel-Harvey Catchment Council (PHCC) when it was established in 2000 and led an impressive 13-year campaign to achieve having the Peel-Harvey recognised as an independent Natural Resource Management Region, the 55th NRM region in Australia.

Jan also instigated the Ramsar Management Plan to protect the Peel-Yalgorup’s Ramsar-listed natural heritage and was a member of the Natural Heritage Trust’s Joint Steering Committee, the Soil and Land Conservation Commission, the State Salinity Council and the State NRM Council.

Jan was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2002 for service to local government, particularly through environmental, water management and planning related matters, and to the community.

Jan has recently retired from Landcare SJ and remains active in the Serpentine Jarrahdale Food and Farming Group and in the protection of the Northern Jarrah Forest.