Standard for Quality Natural Resource Management
State-wide Targets
The NSW Government has adopted 13 state-wide Targets for natural resource management. The Targets set out what we need to achieve if we are to enjoy healthy, functioning landscapes and communities in the future. The targets provide a common focus to guide investment, support accountability and allow for local input.
The Targets are embedded in Priority E4 of the State Plan. This means the whole of the NSW Government is committed to improving the condition of our natural resources – and will be held accountable for it.
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| Standard and the adaptive management cycle |
The NSW Standard for Quality Natural Resource Management (the Standard) underpins high quality natural resource management practice in NSW. While the targets define what we want to achieve, the Standard defines how we should go about the business of natural resource management to deliver them.
The Standard defines required level of quality or Required Outcome for each of the seven components of natural resource management:
- Collection and use of knowledge
- Determination of scale
- Opportunities for collaboration
- Community engagement
- Risk management
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Information management.
These components support high quality decision making in all four phases of adaptive management (planning, implementation, audit and response).
| Who should use the Standard? |
The state’s Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs) have led the way by using the Standard to improve the way they do business.
While the Standard is mandatory for CMAs, it provides a benchmark for everyone involved in natural resource management.
Widespread use of the Standard will result in taxpayers’ money being spent on the right things at the right time. It will also promote innovation and sustainable development by encouraging appropriate trade-offs between environmental, economic and social considerations.
Guide to using the Standard - for CMAs
An introduction to the Standard - for everyone involved in NRM
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Development of Standard and targets
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- Consultation process
- Submissions received
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Consultation process
The NRC consulted with a wide range of stakeholders to develop its recommended Standard and state-wide Targets. It held meetings and workshops with CMAs, regional stakeholders and state government agencies. It also held discussions with over 100 scientists and technical specialists. Following are the key steps in the consultation process.
- Initial consultation with agencies, CMAs and key stakeholders (Jun-Sep 04)
- Pilot process to develop working drafts of the Standard and Targets (Sep-Nov 04)
- Released the report A framework for state-wide Standard and Targets (Oct 04)
- Released Consultation paper - Draft state-wide Standard and Targets (Nov 04)
- Received feedback and tested application of the Standard and Targets through workshops with CMAs, meetings and phone hook-ups with over 100 scientists and technical specialists, Indicators Working Group comprising of technical specialists, and formal submissions (Dec 04-Apr 05)
- Provided recommendations to the Government on the Standard and Targets (May 05)
- Consulted with agencies to develop monitoring and evaluation arrangements and to refine some Targets (Jun-Aug 05)
- Provided consolidated recommendations to the Government on the Standard, Targets, and monitoring and evaluation arrangements (Sep 05)
Process for developing Standard and Targets
Submissions received
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