Sustaining our Land, Water and Coast
The Eyre Peninsula NRM Board has developed the first integrated NRM plan to improve management of the activities and investment in natural resource management across the region.
This strategic plan provides leadership, encourages community action, and fosters partnerships between organisation for the use and management of natural resources.
The natural resources of our land, water, native vegetation, biodiversity and coastal and marine habitats support all aspects of our lifestyle, community well being and the prosperity of local economies.
Eyre Peninsula has unique environmental assets. It has one of the highest proportions of native vegetation of any agricultural area in the State, a large number of endemic species, a range of fresh and saline wetlands and productive agricultural and grazing lands. The region has a third of South Australia’s coastline, spread over 1800 kilometres, plus 254 offshore islands. Many of these coastal and marine habitats are relatively undisturbed, compared with those found in more heavily populated areas.
This first comprehensive NRM plan for Eyre Peninsula was developed after extensive consultation with the community and stakeholders involved in natural resource management.
The plan for our Region
This comprehensive NRM plan is a plan for the whole region, not just the Board. It is a guide for government agencies, industry, non-government organizations, local councils, volunteer groups, landholder and other stakeholders to ensure that the natural resources of Eyre Peninsula are managed within the principles of ecologically sustainable development.
Under the Natural Resources Management Act 2004, the Board is required to develop and implement a NRM plan for its region. This plan links with a range of policies, strategies and plans including State NRM Plan and State Strategic Plan.
What is in the NRM Plan?
It was developed under the Natural Resources Management Act 2004 and it sets out long term targets over 20 years and shorter term targets to be achieved within one to five years.
The plan also outlines how these targets will be achieved and evaluated. The targets are aimed at achieving the following goals:
- Healthy and productive natural resources and natural systems
- Using and managing natural resources within environmental constraints
- Progressive and vibrant communities and industries valuing our natural resources and actively participating in their management
- Effective partnerships based on sound knowledge driving natural resources management
The NRM Plan comprises of four volumes:
- Managing our Resources
- Caring for our Resources
- Investing in our Resources
- State of our Resources
Managing our Resources is a 10 year strategic plan for the management of the natural resources of Eyre Peninsula guiding the actions of all organisations and individuals to optimise natural resources management outcomes for the region. This includes vision, goals, strategic priorities, regional targets and intermediate outcomes to achieve these.
Caring for our Resources is a framework to encourage changes in attitudes and behaviour to value, protect and improve the condition of the region’s natural resources. This volume includes a range of change management tools including legislative direction for management of water and land and the control of pest plants and animals.
Investing in our Resources is an investment and business plan for the Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board which outlines the strategic actions to be undertaken consistent with the region’s strategic NRM Plan (Managing Our Resources).
Investing in our Resources describes the Board’s program for the region, sources of funding, the NRM levy and the Board’s investment in the region for each of the next three years.
The Natural Resources Management Act 2004 requires the Board to annually review the Business Plan. In line with this statutory requirement, the Board has recently reviewed its Business Plan and proposes to make a number of amendments. We welcome your feedback on the proposed amended Business Plan (see below).
Under the Business Plan for 2012-13, the Board plans to spend $1.46 million on maintaining and improving biodiversity across EP and $535,000 will be spent on supporting sustainable farming. A total of $965,000 will be spent on controlling pest plants and animals and $685,000 on managing the region’s water resources.
A total of $800,000 has been allocated for managing coastal and marine environments and $150,000 for research on climate change on EP and working with communities to adapt to its impacts. The Board’s Aboriginal program, which helps Aboriginal communities to get involved in looking after land and to enhance cultural heritage, will be allocated $884,000.
As the environmental, social and economic needs of the region are always changing, it is vital that the Plan is flexible to meet future and developing needs.
For this reason, the Board is particularly interested in your feedback on the Business Plan, together with any comments or suggestions in relation to partnership opportunities.
The Board is also eager to hear from you regarding any other parts of the Business Plan you think could be changed to assist the Board to improve natural resources management in the region.
A copy of the proposed amended Business Plan can be downloaded below.
Written submissions in relation to the proposed amendments must be submitted by Friday 10 February 2012 to:
Regional Manager
Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board
PO Box 2916
Port Lincoln SA 5606
Email: prabodh.das@epnrm.com.au
Fax: (08) 8682 5644
Copies of all submissions received by the Board by the nominated deadline will be forwarded to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation for consideration.
For further information please do not hesitate to contact planning and technical officer Prabodh Das on (08) 8682 7555 or email as above.
Download: Investing in Our Resources 2012-13 to 2014-15
The State of our Resources summarises the state and condition of the regions natural resources, such as soil condition and vegetation cover. It identifies threats to these resources to appropriately guide action for their improved management. This volume will be reviewed every five years.
Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Improvement Framework
The Eyre Peninsula NRM Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Improvement Framework is a complementary document to the regional Natural Resource Management Plan. It has been developed to outline the context, process and tools needed for successful monitoring and evaluation at all levels. This framework provides a snapshot of the region for monitoring and baseline data. The seven regional targets introduced in the EPNRM Plan are analysed for data availability, actions needed and potential partners. This document also indicates gaps in information for reporting on progress towards the targets.
Note: This is a companion document to the regional EPNRM Plan and should be read in conjunction with the plan.