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Home > Natural resources in NSW > Joint programs

Natural Resources in NSW

Joint programs

There are a number of other programs and initiatives to improve natural resource management in NSW. The Department of Natural Resources is involved in a number of these programs, providing funding, expert advice and on–the–ground support to other agencies and community groups. It also works with governments and agencies from other jurisdictions in implementing important resource management reforms.

The Bell Minor Associated Dieback

The Bell Minor Associated Dieback (BMAD) Working Group are a group comprising multi-Government agencies and Non Government Organisations with the Terms of Reference of addressing the increasing and expanding rate of Eucalypt forest decline due to dieback agents. A fundamental element of the BMAD Working Group Strategy is to promote the issues surrounding BMAD and to disseminate information to user groups and the community about BMAD.

The BMAD Working Group also seeks funding for research into and adaptive management approaches to this phenomenom.

More information:

http://www.bmad.com.au/

The Border Rivers Agreement

The New South Wales–Queensland Border Rivers Agreement between NSW and Queensland covers the operation of water storages and the sharing of water between the two states from the rivers which form or cross the border. The Agreement is administered by the Dumaresq–Border Rivers Commission, on which the governments of New South Wales and Queensland are equally represented.

More information:

Other Inter–Jurisdictional Agreements in the Murray-Darling Basin

Landcare

Landcare is a network of people who care for our natural resources - soil, water, vegetation and fauna. Landcare groups include farmers, neighbours, school students, and members of the community who work together to repair and prevent land and water degradation, and care for their local environment.

Landcare is an Australian innovation led by the community, working together with Commonwealth, State and Local Governments, organisations such as Greening Australia and the NSW Farmers Association, universities, and the corporate sector. There are more than 1600 Landcare groups in NSW, engaged in a variety of activities and programs such as on-ground works, research, monitoring, education and community awareness.

DNR provides administrative and promotional support to Landcare groups across the state. Regional Landcare facilitators help these groups develop networks and become more self-sufficient. This is in addition to local support provided by Landcare coordinators who are usually managed directly by Landcare groups. Decisions about the direction of the NSW network are made by the NSW Landcare Working Group, which includes representatives from local groups, DNR and other State Government agencies, and non-government organisations.

More information:

Landcare NSW
Landcare online

The Living Murray

The Living Murray program was established in 2002 in response to concerns over the declining health of the River Murray system. The program is a partnership between the New South Wales, Victorian, South Australian, ACT and Australian governments for one of the world's most significant river restoration projects. Action to protect and improve the health of the River Murray includes investing $500 million in water recovery projects over five years from 2004-05 and spending $150 million over eight years on environmental works and measures.

More information:

http://www.thelivingmurray.mdbc.gov.au/

Murray Darling Basin Agreement

This is a joint agreement of the NSW, Victorian, Queensland, South Australian, Australian Capital Territory and Commonwealth Governments to promote and encourage the sustainable management of the land and water resources of the Murray–Darling Basin – an area of more than one million square kilometres.

The agreement is overseen by the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council, which includes the NSW Ministers for Natural Resources and for the Environment. The Council determines major policy issues and measures for the equitable, efficient and sustainable use of the basin’s water, land and environmental resources.

The Murray–Darling Basin Commission (MDBC) is the executive and operational organisation which manages the sharing of water from the River Murray and the Menindee Lakes system of the lower Darling River between the States of NSW, Victoria and South Australia , and undertakes works and measures to improve supply and sustainability. DNR is a member of and works closely with the MBDC in a number of areas, including the implementation of the Living Murray program, the operation and management of the water storage system, and environmental watering programs.

More information:

The Murray-Darling Basin Initiative – Overview

Natural Heritage Trust

The Natural Heritage Trust (NHT) was set up by the Commonwealth Government in 1997 to help restore and conserve our natural resources such as land and water. Funding is provided for community groups to carry out a range of environmental works. The trust is administered in partnership with the NSW Government, with DNR playing a significant role in allocating and administering funding and providing support for various projects.

More information:

http://www.nht.gov.au

National Action Plan

The National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality (NAP) involves the NSW Government, all other States and Territories, and the Commonwealth Government working together to tackle two of the major environmental issues facing Australia.

Planning and investment is delivered at a regional level. The NAP is jointly delivered with the Natural Heritage Trust, and invests $1.4 billion over seven years for applying regional solutions to salinity and water management problems. The program is jointly funded by the NSW and Commonwealth Government and involves government agencies, community groups, land managers and local businesses.

More information:

http://www.napswq.gov.au/index.html

National Water Initiative

The NSW Government is a partner in the National Water Initiative (NWI) endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments in June 2004. The aim of the NWI is to make a coordinated effort to manage Australia's water better, ensuring that our limited supplies achieve the greatest possible social, economic, and environmental benefits for all our communities.

The NSW Government has prepared a draft NSW NWI Implementation Plan containing specific actions for implementing the eight key elements of the NWI. DNR is the lead agency in the implementation of the plan.

More information:

http://www.pmc.gov.au/nwi/index.cfm

NSW Waterbug Survey

The NSW Waterbug Survey is a State Government program coordinated by DNR, which aims to teach school children about the importance of our natural environment. Children are encouraged to learn about our water systems and their insect life by taking part in the annual Waterbug Survey. The website also provides information and activities aimed at teachers and students.

More information:

http://www.bugsurvey.nsw.gov.au/index.html

Water for Rivers

As a result of the Snowy-Hydro Electricity Scheme, the natural flow of Snowy River was substantially reduced. The Water for Rivers program was established by New South Wales, Victoria and the Commonwealth Governments to provide increased environmental flows to the Snowy River and River Murray systems. $375 million has been committed over eight years to fund and commission water efficiency projects to provide the environmental flows. The aim is to return 212,000 megalitres, or 21% of the average natural flow, to the Snowy River and 70,000 megalitres to the Murray River in a staged approach over 10 years.

More information:

http://www.waterforrivers.org.au/

Waterwatch

Waterwatch is a national community action program that monitors the state of our waterways and encourages action to protect and improve water quality. Since 1997, the Waterwatch program has been supported by grant funding from the Natural Heritage Trust.

DNR coordinates Waterwatch in NSW. The program involves community groups and individuals, who monitor the health and condition of local waterways and provide information on algal blooms, fish kills and other events. Waterwatch groups are a major driving force for change in the way that society values and cares for its precious waterways. Local information and investigations can lead to local solutions ranging from fencing areas of riverbanks, eradicating weeds and invasive species, to identifying pollution and reducing the effects of runoff, or even changes to licence conditions of polluting industry. The information collected by Waterwatch groups has been an important guide to programs that improve the health of our waterways.

More information:

http://www.waterwatch.nsw.gov.au/index.html