Regional NRM Plans

Each of the eight regional NRM boards is required to produce a plan for their region.

These are ‘strategic plans’ that outline the boards’ focus for the following ten years, with a review after five years.

Regional NRM plans must:

• identify the natural resources within the region
• assess the condition of these natural resources and the surrounding ‘environmental, social and economic’ issues
• include methods for improving, using, conserving and managing natural resources using a ‘whole of landscape' approach, including coast and marine systems

Regional NRM plans must also include:

• A set of goals for the plan
• Methods for implementing the plan (e.g. through community groups)
• Methods for monitoring of the condition of natural resources and the success of the programs under the plan
• Changes needed to development plans or other statutory plans
• Activities impacting the natural resources in the region

Regional NRM plans also include a ‘business plan’. This is a financial document outlining investments and costs for a regional NRM board over the following three years and is reviewed annually.

Regional NRM plans should be consistent with the State NRM Plan and a range of legislation that deal with natural resources such as the Native Vegetation Act, Environment Protection Act and the Coast Protection Act.