What is Natural Resources Management?
Natural resources management is the integrated and sustainable management of the State’s natural resources. Natural resources include soil, water resources, geological features and landscapes, native vegetation, native animals and other native organisms and ecosystems. In managing the natural resources within its region, the SA MDB NRM Board (among other things) endeavors to build the capacity of the people to implement programs or take other steps to improve the management of natural resources.
Why is Natural Resources Management important?
Natural resources management is important because the integrated and sustainable management of the State’s natural resources will support sustainable primary and other economic production systems while at the same time providing for the protection and management of species and ecosystems, and the sustainable use of land and waters.
What does the SA Murray-Darling Basin NRM Board do?
The SA MDB NRM Board plays an important role in:
- protecting biodiversity
- restoring degraded land and water resources
- supporting sustainable industries
- preventing and controlling pest animals and plants, and
- supporting people involved in the management of natural resources.
One of the main functions of the South Australian Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resources Management Board (SA MDB NRM Board) is to prepare, and implement, a regional NRM plan. A regional NRM plan identifies key strategies for the long-term future of managing natural resources in the Board’s region. A regional NRM plan cannot be implemented in isolation and relies on strong partnership and involvement of all communities in the region.
What is the Draft Regional NRM Plan and who is it for?
The draft regional NRM plan assists in the achievement of ecologically sustainable development (ESD) by providing a balance between environmental, social and economic outcomes. It seeks to guide the planning and actions of everyone in the region, including the SA MDB NRM Board, State agencies, Local Government, industry bodies and community groups. The draft regional NRM plan builds upon all the work that has been undertaken already to manage our natural resources. It contains four volumes:
- Volume 1: The 10 Year Strategic Plan (setting the direction for everyone in the region, not just the SA MDB NRM Board).
- Volume 2: The State of the Region Report (condition of our natural resources)
- Volume 3: The Regulatory and Statutory Framework (the rules that apply to NRM)
- Volume 4: The 3 Year Business Plan (what programs and actions the SA MDB NRM Board will invest in and the funds required)
How was the Draft Regional NRM Plan developed?
The process for developing the draft regional NRM plan commenced in 2006/07 with the community assisting to develop a Vision for major natural resource asset themes: People, Water, Biodiversity, Land and Atmosphere/Climate Change. The SA MDB NRM Board then worked with the community to determine long-term outcomes for these assets, and priorities for investment. This was achieved through stakeholder led targeted planning groups, community feedback, decision conferences and workshops. The process has sought contributions from many groups including Local Action Planning Groups, Aboriginal groups, Local Government, industry associations, State and Federal Government, research and development organisations, and youth forums.
How will the Draft Regional NRM Plan be funded?
The draft regional NRM plan is proposed to be funded and implemented through a number of sources including:
- The regional NRM levy and NRM water levy;
- State Government complimentary NRM funding may be available
- Australian Government funding, including the Caring For Our Country initiative for the period 2008 to 2013, which provides base-level funding for a range of programs undertaken by regional NRM boards and also includes a competitive funding component.
What has been the process for deciding the allocation of funds?
The SA MDB NRM Board needs to prioritise and invest where the best outcomes will be achieved and the following aspects were considered when developing the 3 Year Business Plan:
- The SA MDB NRM Board’s role in undertaking action;
- The impacts of implementing the actions on the natural resources assets;
- The cost of implementing the actions;
- Other organisations and partners involved in action delivery;
- The ability to source funding to implement action, and
- Community involvement and engagement. The investment process drew on information gained from a project entitled “Environmental Values and Investment Prioritisation in the SAMDB”.
What does the Draft Regional NRM Plan do for our scarce water resources?
The Murray-Darling Basin is currently experiencing its worst drought on record with strict water restrictions for irrigators and urban and domestic water users, and severe impacts on ecosystems that are dependent on water flow. Careful planning and effective management are required to reduce the impact of water variability on industries and ecosystems,. The draft regional NRM plan has a positive vision for the condition of our water resources with actions to provide for: sustainable use of all water resources; acceptable water quality and; environmental water requirements (for more information see the Fact Sheet: Managing our Water Resources)
What is the NRM Levy?
The NRM levy comprises two components in the SA MDB NRM region: a regional NRM levy and an NRM water levy. The regional NRM levy is a levy imposed on rateable land in the Board’s region and appears on council’s rate notices. The NRM water levy is payable by persons who are the holders of water licences granted in relation to a prescribed water resource within the SA MDB NRM Board’s region. The levies help the SA MDB NRM Board to meet its proposed expenditure as set out in the draft regional NRM plan.
Why is an increase in the NRM Levy needed?
The draft regional NRM plan sets new targets, strategies and actions for the desired state and condition of our SA MDB NRM Region’s natural resources. In order to successfully meet those targets, the SA MDB NRM Board believes an increase in the Regional NRM Levy is required.
The proposed increase in the levy in the Regional NRM Plan will provide a sound financial basis for the NRM programs in our region and will see the region gain new programs aimed at:
- managing threatened species
- reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping industry adapt to climate change
- improving the participation of Aboriginal people in NRM and protecting significant sites and species
- early management of new pest incursions
- encouraging and supporting new volunteers
- increasing investment in water allocation planning
The proposed increase will also enable the SA MDB NRM Board to better support our partners (such as Local Government, industry groups, community groups, landholders etc) in achieving NRM outcomes.
How can I provide feedback on the draft regional NRM plan?
There are two ways to provide feedback on the draft regional NRM plan.
Public Meetings will be held across the SA MDB NRM Region in January 2009 where information will be provided and participants will have an opportunity to discuss issues and concerns. Times and dates will be advertised in December and early January.
Written feedback can be provided on each volume of the draft regional NRM plan by completing feedback forms and returning them by mail, fax, in person or submitted on-line. The SA MDB NRM Board will also have staff available to answer questions and discuss the draft regional NRM plan through-out the consultation period. Ph. (08) 8532 1432.