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FACT SHEET
Natural Resource Management Amendment Bill 2009
� In 2002 the Government launched a Natural Resource Management Framework
for the State which introduced new ways to deliver and manage natural resource
management (NRM) in Tasmania. The central pillar of the Framework is the
Natural Resource Management Act, which the Government enacted in 2002.
� The Act set in place a constructive partnership approach to natural resource
management at State and regional levels. It was the first attempt in this State to
bring together industry resource users, land managers and conservation
interests to provide a coordinated and integrated approach to natural resource
management
� A five year review of the NRM Act and the associated Framework was
completed in 2008. This review was legislated to occur after five years of
operation of the Act. It involved broad consultation and revealed considerable
support for the Framework.
� The review made 18 recommendations for improvements to the Act and the
Framework, which were accepted by the Government. These improvements
cover a range of matters including the setting of state NRM priorities, the
membership of the regional committees and the operation of the NRM Council.
� As a result of the review a small number of minor amendments to the NRM Act
have been proposed and approved by Cabinet. These amendments relate to (i)
changes to section 9(3) to make the interests to be represented on regional NRM
committees less prescriptive, and (ii) amending section 20 to provide more
flexibility in the timing of future reviews.
� Since the review was completed in early 2008 some additional matters have
been identified that require amendments to allow greater flexibility in
implementing the NRM Act and Framework. These additional amendments were
also included in this Bill and include (i) provide greater flexibility in terms of the
duration of membership of the NRM Council, and (ii) remove the requirement for
the NRM Council to provide meeting minutes to the Minister within 14 days of a
meeting.
� Overall, the amendments are relatively minor in effect but they will improve the
administration and management of Tasmania's NRM Framework, thereby
achieving better outcomes for our environment and community.