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The NRC audits found that CMAs are effectively engaging with their communities to build trust and in delivering projects to improve landscape function.
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| What is a Catchment Action Plan? |
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The Catchment Management Authorities Act 2003 requires each Catchment Management Authority (CMA) to prepare a Catchment Action Plan in partnership with its community and government agencies.
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A Catchment Action Plan must include the results that are expected to be achieved and time frames for achieving them, and the priorities for funding or carrying out of catchment activities in the CMA area .
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One of the NRC’s specific functions is to audit the effectiveness of the implementation of Catchment Action Plans in achieving compliance with the state-wide Standard and Targets adopted by the Government.
The audits are an important part of the delivery of natural resource management in NSW. They will provide a clear understanding of the extent of implementation of Catchment Action Plans and help assess the progress NSW is making towards the Targets.
The NRC's Audit Framework explains the NRC's risk-based approach to auditing and outlines how the NRC will plan, conduct and report its audit work. The NRC plans to review the Audit Framework following the initial audit of all 13 CMAs.
During 2008, the NRC audited seven of the 13 CMAs to assess the effectiveness of the implementation of their Catchment Action Plans. See table below for status of audits of the remaining six CMAs.
The NRC is focusing these initial audits on the actions of CMAs because CMAs are the lead agencies for implementing Catchment Action Plans. The audits focus on whether the CMA’s planning, project implementation and other Catchment Action Plan related activities, and the business systems that guide and support these activities, are reaching the quality benchmarks set by the Standard.
The audit's four lines of inquiry are:
- Is the CMA effectively prioritising its investments to promote resilient landscapes that support the values of its communities?
- Are the CMA’s vegetation projects contributing to improved landscape function?
- Is the CMA actively engaging its communities?
- Is the CMA effectively using adaptive management?
In November 2008, the NRC provided its progress report on effective implementation of Catchment Action Plan to the Government, drawing largely on the first seven audits. Overall, the NRC found that CMAs are delivering clear results on the ground, are working with their communities to better manage the land and building understanding around the once contentious native vegetation reforms. In NSW, all parts of the regional model are now well established but of course there is room for improvement, both by CMAs and the other players.
Status of audits (as of November 2009)