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>> NRC Governance Policy
Natural resource management (NRM) decisions are based on sound science and best practice management and made in the environmental, economic and social interests of the State.
In the way we operate and the work we produce:
– we provide objective and practical advice to government after listening to all stakeholders, drawing on the best available knowledge and analysis, then making our own judgements.
We are committed – we believe in what we do and can be trusted to do what we say. We are motivated by our commitment to achieving better natural resource outcomes.
We pursue quality – we perform our work to the highest standard, ensuring we are rigorous, efficient and focussed. We are committed to continually improving the quality of NRM processes and outcomes.
We are innovative – we think creatively to develop practical advice within a dynamic institutional and natural environment.
We have a vibrant workplace – we enjoy good humour and the company of our colleagues. We celebrate milestones and maintain a sense of perspective.
We work together as a high performing team – we understand and respect one another’s needs. We trust each other, share our expertise and are committed to the success of the team and its members.
The NRC was created by the Natural Resources Commission Act 2003 to establish a sound scientific basis for the properly informed management of natural resources in the social, economic and environmental interests of the State.
The Government has adopted the NRC recommended Standard for Quality Natural Resource Management (the Standard) and state-wide targets for NRM. The targets now form priority E4 of the NSW Government’s State Plan.
The Standard and targets provide a quality assurance framework and clear goals to ensure that the investments of the NSW and Australian Governments and others in the activities of catchment management authorities are cost effective, protect and improve high value natural resource assets, and maximise integrated NRM outcomes from the property scale to the state scale. The Standard and targets support flexible and innovative regional planning, investment and decision-making while ensuring consistency, rigour and accountability for NRM in NSW.
We contribute to priority E4 of the State Plan by:
- reporting on progress to targets through accessing and evaluating data
- auditing the effectiveness of the implementation of catchment action plans in complying with the Standard and achieving the targets
- reviewing technical issues to provide a sound scientific basis for decisions on specific NRM issues
- developing and revising the state-wide Standard and targets and facilitating their use by natural resource managers across the State
- conducting reviews on natural resource issues as requested by government.
Commissioner: Dr John Williams
Assistant Commissioners: Di Bentley I Peter Egger I Dr Ronnie Harding I Dr David Leece
Executive Director: Alex McMillan
The Commissioner exercises the functions of the Natural Resources Commission Act and provides advice to the Government.
The Assistant Commissioners advise and support the Commissioner to make sound, balanced advice to the Government. The Commissioner and Assistant Commissioners are all widely regarded as leading experts in the fields of agriculture, sustainable development, environmental education, environmental science and policy.
The Executive Director is responsible for leadership and strategic management of the NRC staff.
We actively use the Standard and an adaptive management approach to develop advice for the Commissioner’s consideration. We make extensive use of scientific knowledge, indigenous knowledge, and best practices across a variety of fields to provide the most informed, robust and practical advice. We use transparent consultation processes that allow opportunities for engagement with stakeholders. We proactively identify risks and promote collaboration across the sector. We are committed to the principles of ecologically sustainable development, value the integrated nature of natural resources and recognise regional variation in the environment.
All NRC reports are made publicly available.
>> NRC Governance Policy
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