Consultation on the SAMDB NRM Board Business Plan

About

This consultation has concluded. Find out the latest updates here.

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The South Australian Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resources Management Board (SAMDB NRM Board) is seeking feedback on its amended business plan and we want you to hear from you.

What is being decided?

The amended business plan sets out the SAMDB NRM Board’s priorities for achieving natural resources management outcomes over the next three financial years (2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19). It describes the NRM levies that will be collected and how they will be spent in the region.

How can your input influence the decision?

As part of the business plan review, the SAMDB NRM Board is talking openly with the SAMDB community about our vision and investment to ensure our natural resources are maintained now and for future generations. Your input will help shape the final business plan and how NRM levies will be spent in the region.

Visit our website for more detailed information prior to providing your input: http://www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/samurraydarlingbasin/future-nrm

To provide input you can fill out the survey or join the online discussion or make a written submissions. Comments close on 15 January 2016.

Written submissions can be sent to:

SA Murray-Darling Basin NRM Board
Submission - Draft Business Plan
PO Box 2343, Murray Bridge, SA 5253

How will your input be used?

A consultation report will be developed at the conclusion of the consultation period. This report is forwarded to the South Australian Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation. It will also be made publicly available on the SAMDB NRM Board’s website.

Want to know more?

• Follow the conversation on Twitter @nrsamdb and Instagram @nrsamdb using the hashtag #nrmtogether
• Visit the SAMDB website: http://www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/future-nrm
• If you've got any questions, contact us via samdbenquiries@sa.gov.au or 08 8532 9100.

Background

Background to consultation

The South Australian Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resources Management Board (SAMDB NRM Board) is talking openly with the SAMDB community about our vision and investment to ensure natural resources within the region are maintained now and for future generations.

The SAMDB NRM Board commenced the first phase of community consultation in October 2015 asking for advice from a panel of community members about a number of financial and environmental challenges faced by the region. This phase of the consultation has now closed, more information about this completed phase can be found here.

The first phase of consultation provided the SAMDB NRM Board with useful information about community values and ideas with regard to the management of natural resources in the SAMDB region. This information influenced Board decision making regarding the level of investment required for the next three financial years (2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19) and the priorities for that investment

Background to amendments to business plan

In developing the Business Plan the Board committed to finding out community thinking about what’s important for natural resources management in the SAMDB region.

The Board believes there are changes occurring within the natural resources management sector regarding; what the community values, the ways people seek out information and choose to be involved in things that are important to them, and the requirements placed on the Board through the State Government. The threats to, and impact on our natural resources also continue to evolve.

In the 2015-16 State Budget, the South Australian Government announced that it would partially recover the costs of Water Planning and Management activities through the regional NRM levies. In addition to this measure, the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) announced increased costs for the delivery of services and programs on behalf of NRM Boards.

In keeping with its philosophy of putting the community at the centre, the Board convened a deliberative panel of community members to seek advice about investment and work program priorities for range of different scenarios. The Board also sought input from the community via a survey on the South Australian Government’s YourSAy website and directly from key stakeholders.

The collated survey responses provided the Board with a greater insight of SAMDB community values while the deliberative panel provided specific advice to the Board on priority natural resource assets and the projects and services they valued.

The Board seriously considered the information from the deliberative panel, the YourSAy website survey and advice from key stakeholders when making their decision. The Board has decided to amend the levy proposal to raise additional revenue to ensure valued projects and services continue to be delivered for priority natural resources assets to manage key threats. The additional revenue will make a contribution to the water planning and management charges required by the State Government. In response to the input received, the Board will continue to modify its work program and will look for efficiencies in the way that programs are delivered.

The SAMDB NRM Board has recently amended its business and operational plan and is now seeking feedback on the proposed amendments. Full details of the levy proposal can be found in the amended South Australian Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resources Management Plan: Board Business and Operational Plan (Volume B).

What feedback is being asked for now?

During the first phase of community consultation, our community told us that achieving the balance between social, economic and environmental needs is tough and you expect us to be honest, open, accountable and efficient, and we commit to meeting this expectation.

The SAMDB NRM Board is a not-for-profit organisation its purpose is to deliver benefits for the regional community and the state. The SAMDB NRM Board and community need to manage our natural resources to maintain, and where possible enhance, what we have for now and for future generations.

Our community told us they want more say on NRM investment levels and priorities. The SAMDB NRM Board listened in the first phase of consultation, and have amended our business plan in response.

Collectively, our community values natural resources for the landscapes, livelihoods and lifestyles it supports – all are connected to healthy natural resources. The SAMDB region is an incredibly important food bowl to the state producing premium wine, food and fibre for domestic and export markets as well as making a significant contribution to the State's economy. Healthy soils, good quality water and healthy bush are vital in sustaining this production.

Phase two of our community consultation is occurring between 1 December 2015 and 15 January 2016. During this time, we want to hear from you about the proposed investment and work programs in the amended business plan.