Chapter One

Chapter One

Introduction

Conduct of the inquiry

1.1        On 26 June 2008, the Senate referred the following matters to the Senate Standing Committee on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport for inquiry and report by 27 November 2008:

(i) the lessons learned from the successes and failures of three decades of Commonwealth investment in resource management including Landcare, the National Heritage Trust, the National Action Plan on Salinity and Water Quality, and other national programs;

(ii) how we can best build on the knowledge and experience gained from these programs to capitalise on existing networks and projects, and maintain commitment and momentum among land-holders;

(iii) the overall costs and benefits of a regional approach to planning and management of Australia's catchments, coasts and other natural resources;

(iv) the need for a long-term strategic approach to natural resource management (NRM) at the national level;

(v) the capacity of regional NRM groups, catchment management organisations and other national conservation networks to engage land managers, resource users and the wider community to deliver on-the-ground NRM outcomes as a result of the recent changes to funding arrangements under the new Caring for our Country program; and

(vi) the extent to which the Caring for our Country program represents a comprehensive approach to meeting Australia's future NRM needs.

1.2        The Committee advertised the inquiry in The Australian on 2 July 2008. The Committee also wrote directly to the relevant government agencies and departments, a number of natural resource management groups, catchment management groups, industry organisations, peak bodies, and a number of interested individuals, inviting written submissions.

1.3        On 27 November 2008, the Senate agreed to extend the time for presentation of the report until 19 March 2009. Further extensions were subsequently agreed to by the Senate, with the final reporting date being 4 February 2010.

1.4        The Committee received 67 submissions. A full list of submissions is at Appendix 1.

1.5        The Committee held three public hearings as follows:

  • Friday, 10 October 2008 Perth
  • Friday, 17 October 2008 Canberra
  • Friday, 13 November 2009 Canberra

1.6        The Committee heard evidence from a number of witnesses, including representatives from Commonwealth government departments and agencies, state departments, industry groups, peak bodies, natural resource management groups, catchment management groups and individuals. For a full list of witnesses see Appendix 2.

1.7        The relevant submissions and the Hansard transcripts of the Committee's hearings are available on the parliament's internet site at http://www.aph.gov.au

Acknowledgements

1.8        The Committee appreciates the time and effort of all those who provided both written and oral submissions to the inquiry. Their work has assisted the Committee considerably in its inquiry.

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