Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online

Managing our natural resources – Local Government involvement in regional planning

This article is based on a discussion paper provided to the NRM Ministerial Community Forum Meeting held in Adelaide on 14–16 April 2004

The Australian Government is working cooperatively with State and Territory Governments and in partnership with regional bodies, Local Governments, community groups and industry across the country to encourage the sustainable management of our natural resources. Integrated regional plans and investment strategies provide the means for identifying and coordinating actions to address priority issues in individual regions.

As Local Governments are responsible for many aspects of land use planning and management, they are critical stakeholders in Natural Resource Management (NRM). As such, they need to be active partners in the regional planning processes now guiding NRM across the nation.

Recognising the varying capacity of local councils to respond to the numerous new challenges and opportunities emerging in NRM in their regions, the Australian Government commissioned a national review of the key factors that influence the level of engagement of Local Government in regional natural resource management planning.

The key factors were found to largely revolve around people and processes, including the:

• level of community expectation
• level of council awareness and understanding of NRM
• staff ability in NRM
• availability and continuity of resources
• recognition of need for Local Government involvement by both the NRM organisations and Local Government
• recognition by Local Government of NRM as part of core business
• presence of committed people in key Local Government positions and the ‘culture’ of the council.
• previous Local Government commitment to regional planning and past recognition
• level of mutual trust and transparency in governance
• level to which Local Government feels it is an equal partner in the decision making process.

Findings from the study were summarised in a discussion paper for the April Natural Resource Management Ministerial Community Forum Meeting. Outcomes from the discussion paper suggested a rough ‘road map’, showing the possible stages that might indicate progress along the way to more effective involvement in regional NRM planning. This ‘road map’ is shown below.

This ‘road map’ is simply one way of considering the ways we might move forward, and the broad stages identified are only indicative. Progress in building awareness will form a solid foundation for engagement. Natural resource management needs the active participation of all stakeholders, with agreed processes and equal partnerships.

Awards recognising Local Government engagement in regional NRM planning

To promote Local Government engagement in regional NRM planning processes, there will be a new National Award for Local Government this year. The National Awards will be launched at the Local Government Managers Australia National Congress at the end of May. This new award will complement the existing award for the ‘Integration of Biodiversity Conservation into Local Government Planning’.

The following articles are also included in this edition or go BACK to the main page: