Communique No 2-2010
Meeting no.:
24
Date:
6 Apr 2010 Key issues:
2010 Priority areas
Feedback from Knoledge Forum
Review of Governance Paper
National NRM Conference and Chairs Forum - Darwin, April 2010
Communique:
Communiqué No. 2/2010
The ACT NRM Council met for its second meeting of 2010 on 6th April.
Council further discussed the priorities set for the coming year and assigned subgroups to take responsibility for preparing action plans to achieve the following priorities:
· Review and redesign of the 2011-2013 Regional Investment Strategy;
· Continuing engagement and building environment and sustainable ACT community NRM networks,
· Environmental planning framework for the ACT;
· Relationship building with key ACT and regional stakeholders
· Broadening the NRM funding base in the ACT;
· Caring for our Country contestable bid;
· Knowledge management in the ACT.
Dr Ryan, Council Chair, reported on the success of the Knowledge Forum, held on 25 March 2010 at CSIRO headquarters in Campbell. The Forum attracted a good representation from ACT government agencies and authorities as well as representatives from local research institutions and community stakeholder groups. The forum’s focus on knowledge management in the ACT, and current gaps in knowledge, gave participants the opportunity to raise concerns and provide suggestions into how this issue can be addressed. The outcomes of the forum will be distributed to all participants and other key stakeholders, and will provide recommendations about the way forward.
Members reported that their recent field trip to the Molonglo and Queanbeyan rivers to visit restoration sites and sites requiring further work was a valuable activity in both meeting those involved with the on-ground works, but in also identifying potential work which the Council could be involved with. Executive officers from the Department of Environment, Climate Change Energy and Water and representatives from the Australian Government NRM Liaison and Facilitation team also participated in the field trip.
Council was provided with a financial update indicating that all Caring for our Country progress and financial requirements had been fulfilled and corresponding 2009/10 payments received.
Council members and the NRM team are continuing to meet with partners to finalise an open competitive bid for submission for Caring for our Country funding by 15 April 2010. The project involves works in the Cotter Catchment.
Dr Ryan and representatives from the NRM team will attend the bi-annual National NRM Conference in Darwin on 19th and 20th April 2010. The NRM team will be presenting on Council's work in engagement and increasing participation of local indigenous people in NRM. Dr Ryan and Mr Feint, Council's Executive Officer, will also attend the National Chairs Forum on the 21st and 22nd of April. Dr Ryan will be presenting a paper on NRM Governance for their consideration and discussion. Council members had the opportunity to discuss and provide comment to Dr Ryan on her paper at the Council meeting.
The next Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, 1 June 2010.
