South Australia’s eight regional NRM Boards are statutory authorities created by and under the direction of the Minister. They are high level boards that sit under the NRM Council and they have a number of functions outlined by the Act. One of their most important functions is to develop a regional NRM Plan. Initially, all regional NRM Boards developed an Initial Plan that brought together all of the previous catchment, soil conservation, pest control, biodiversity and other regional plans.
A Comprehensive Plan including a Business Plan is now being developed by each board. Some of these will be implemented by July 2008, but other regions will implement theirs by July 2009. This is partly due to the complexity of the plans and to allow for greater community input.
Other functions of regional NRM Boards include:
- implementing and reviewing their regional plans
- promoting public awareness and education on sustainable NRM including increasing capacity for people to manage natural resources
- providing advice on assessments made under the Act and condition of natural resources
- working collaboratively with adjoining regions and all stakeholders including environment and community groups and organisations.
- reporting to the Minister on the board’s functions.
