Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Twenty-one regions affected by salinity and water quality were identified as priority
targets under the National Action Plan.
After the introduction of the Intergovernmental Agreement on a National Action Plan
for Salinity and Water Quality in 2000, bilateral agreements between the Australian and
state or territory governments facilitated the development of action plans in the priority
regions. These agreements provided details on the state or territory's specific
arrangements for regional bodies, accountability and administrative arrangements and
institutional reforms, to progress key limitations in policies and legislation. In developing
action plans, government and community bodies collaborate in the search for solutions to
address the salinity and water quality problems.
Funding is provided to regional groups for the development of regional plans.
Specific funding is allocated to address urgent resource condition issues through priority
actions. At a regional level, investments under the National Action Plan and the regional
component of the Natural Heritage Trust (discussed further below) are driven by regional
plans, developed by regional natural resource management bodies with the support of
governments.
Natural Heritage Trust
The Natural Heritage Trust (the Trust) was set up by the Australian Government in
1997 to help restore and conserve Australia's environment and natural resources. It is the
largest environmental rescue plan ever undertaken in Australia, with a strategic outlook
that adopts a long term, co-ordinated approach to address natural resource management
challenges. Funding for environmental activities is provided at a local level, a regional
level and a national or state level. The Trust was extended in 2001 to provide funding for
another five years to ensure the viability of many significant ongoing activities. As a
reflection of its role in funding on ground works, funding was extended to 2007-08 in
2004, with investments since 1997 totalling AUD 3 billion.
The Trust is administered by a ministerial board comprising the Minister for the
Environment and Heritage and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. There
are also a number of organisations and committees which oversee and support the Trust,
including members from non-government organisations (NGOs), the scientific and
academic communities and officers from different levels of government.
There is considerable co-operation and dialogue between governments to maximise
the effectiveness and efficiency of investments. This is formalised through bilateral
agreements between the Australian Government and each state or territory to deliver the
Trust, including the establishment of 56 natural resource management regions across the
whole of Australia. This regional delivery framework is aligned with, and builds on, the
regional delivery of the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality.
The central feature of natural resource management in Australia is the active
engagement of the community. Regional staff and boards consist of community members,
and projects are delivered locally with strong community participation in both their
planning and implementation. Investments now focus on achieving important resource
condition outcomes expressed as measurable targets (set jointly by communities and
governments), including for water quality, improved estuarine health, improved
vegetation management and improved soil condition. Regional targets include longer
term resource condition targets (10 to 15 years) and shorter management action targets
(1 to 5 years).
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