NRM Groups
in the
South East Natural Resources Management
Region
Information Paper & Nomination Form for Prospective
NRM Group Members
December 2015
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Thank you for your interest in becoming a member of a Natural Resources Management
(NRM) Group in the South East region.
1.
INTRODUCTION
The South East Natural Resources Management Board (SE NRM Board) is committed to
effectively engaging with the South East community in managing our precious natural
resources. As an essential step in involving the community, the Board has set up two
Natural Resources Management (NRM) Groups within the South East region. These groups
are an important part of the Board’s organisation and play a major role in communicating
with local communities and supporting implementation of natural resource programs in
their local area.
NRM Group Members and in particular, NRM Group Chairs, will need to make considerable
time commitments to their roles in order to properly meet the responsibilities of NRM
Groups. It is estimated that NRM Group Members should allocate one to two days per
month, which may also include some evening meetings, to their group responsibilities. The
NRM Group Chair can expect to commit up to several days per month, including evening
meetings and travel across the South East region.
This document is a general guide to the roles and responsibilities of the SE NRM Groups
and their members and is intended to provide an introduction for prospective group
members. This guide is not a legal document and the ultimate authority for defining roles
and responsibilities is the Natural Resources Management Act 2004 and the delegation of
powers by the SE NRM Board.
The NRM Act requires extensive consultation with regional communities, land managers
and local government. In this way, the whole regional community will have the opportunity
to provide input into the planning and delivery of regional NRM. NRM Groups are an
important conduit for community input into the Board’s programs and the development
and review of the regional NRM plan.
The NRM Groups are not “lobbying” organisations, they have a role within government in
advising the NRM Board of matters and initiatives that are of interest to the NRM Group
and the wider community, within the strategic direction of the regional NRM plan.
NRM Groups and Areas
The SE NRM Board has established two NRM Groups that collectively cover the entire South
East Natural Resources region. The boundaries for these three NRM Groups each align
with a number of Local Government areas. The two Groups have been titled the Upper
South East and Lower South East NRM Groups.
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The NRM Groups are under the direction of the SE NRM Board, who in turn is responsible
to the Minister for Environment and Conservation.
2.
NRM GROUP FUNCTIONS
The SE NRM Board has delegated a number of functions to each of the two regional NRM
Groups as outlined by the NRM Act (2004). These functions broadly include:

Participation in programs that promote a whole of landscape management approach in
collaboration with the Board, other State and local government departments, industry
and the community.

Be actively involved in the development and communication of any relevant regional
NRM plan at the local level

Provide advice to the Board and respective Government agency on the management of
public and privately held land with regard to declared weeds and pest animal control,
fire management and biodiversity conservation.

Act as a conduit between the community, the Board and other agencies regarding NRM
functions and activities within its area of operation.

Provide input into annual operational business plans, grant programs and initiatives as
required to facilitate outcomes consistent with regional NRM plans.

Such other functions prescribed by the regulations or assigned to the NRM Group by
the regional NRM Board.
In the longer term, the roles and responsibilities of the NRM Groups may be extended to
take up further aspects of the NRM Act.
In performing any of its functions, an NRM Group seeks to work collaboratively with:

any other neighbouring NRM group;

other State agencies, and if relevant, agencies of the Commonwealth, and agencies of
other States and Territories;

the constituent councils for the areas of the NRM Group and other councils as may be
relevant;

relevant industry, environmental and community groups and organizations; and

persons who own or occupy land within the area of the NRM Group.
The NRM Act requires the NRM Group to:

keep proper accounts of its financial affairs and prepare financial statements each
financial year;

have these accounts and financial statements audited by the Auditor-General each
financial year, on or before 31 October each year, and

provide to the regional board a regular report on its activities.
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The Board provides the necessary support to its NRM Groups to meet these requirements.
3. NRM GROUP MEMBER NOMINATION AND APPOINTMENT PROCESS
The SE NRM Groups each consist of up to seven members who collectively, have the
relevant skills, knowledge and experience to enable the NRM Group to carry out its
functions effectively.1
A majority of NRM group members must reside within the South East NRM region and a
majority must also be engaged in an activity relating to the management of land. The NRM
Board appoints a suitably qualified and experienced member of the Group to be the NRM
Group Chair.
Membership of an NRM Group must demonstrate:

a clear understanding of the NRM issues of the area of the NRM Group; and

the knowledge, skills and experience needed to address the functions assigned to the
NRM Group
While the NRM Act requires that at least one member of an NRM Group must be a woman
and one member a man, the SE NRM Board aims to have approximately equal
representation of men and women on NRM Groups across the region. This objective will
contribute to the State Government’s target to increase the number of women on all State
Government Boards and Committees to 50%.
The SE NRM Board has an additional policy that each NRM Group may only have a
maximum of one member employed by a South Australian Government NRM Agency. A
recruitment strategy for each vacancy will identify the remaining skills and experience on
the NRM Group, including gender balance, SA Government employees, practical
experience, geographical distribution and other factors.
NRM Group Member Commitment and Fees
Members of the NRM Groups are entitled to claim fees, allowances and expenses. These
are generally set by the Commissioner for Public Employment and administered through
the NRM Board. The fees are paid on an hourly basis for the time a Member spends in
official meetings or events. Fees are not paid for time spent on reading and preparation
prior to the meeting (estimated to be two to three hours per public meeting). Formal
meetings of NRM Groups are expected to be up to 6 hours and NRM Groups meet bimonthly. The volume of NRM Group business varies from meeting to meeting.
1
In accordance with Section 48 of the Act
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An hourly rate (and some expenses when incurred) will also be paid for other approved
meetings, workshops and functions, that the NRM Group has resolved its members would
attend.
It is expected that NRM Group Members will dedicate up to 1 day per month to NRM Group
business, while the commitment for NRM Group Chairs is slightly higher. On average, two
days per month may be required from the NRM Group Chair, including some evening
meetings and travel across the South East region. This level of attendance will vary from
time to time depending on the issue.
What are NRM Group Members required to do?
NRM Group Members are required to:






Attend and contribute to meetings, workshops and conferences
Make decisions in the best interests of the Group and the Board’s functions and goals
Work and communicate with others
Assist in the development of policies and plan activities
Develop, support, participate in or deliver NRM programs in the local area
Represent the NRM Group at community meetings and functions.
A NRM Group Member should expect that they may be requested to represent the NRM
Group at field days, community and industry meetings, participate on advisory
committees, attend NRM planning workshops and or NRM functions in addition to
participating in NRM Group meetings.
What makes an effective NRM Group Member?
An effective NRM Group member will be a person who:
 Has the necessary skills and experience to contribute to issues raised at group meetings
in an inclusive manner that supports all members
 Is interested in NRM and community issues
 Communicates with and listens to the community
 Is conversant with NRM issues in the Group’s area and understands the implications of
decisions made
 Is able to devote the time required to meet the commitment
 An understanding of the financial provisions and funding arrangements under which
the NRM Group operates
 Makes decisions in the best interests of the natural resources and the community within
its NRM Group area
 Is able to separate themselves from sectoral interests regardless of other affiliations
they may have outside of their role as NRM Group Member
 Has the capacity and willingness to learn
 Familiarity with the legislation under which the Board and NRM Groups operate
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Has an awareness of the Board its programs and operating environment
Has the ability to build relationships with members of the SE NRM Board, its staff and
other relevant stakeholders
Is able to be an ambassador for NRM in the Region
NRM Group Chair
The NRM Group Chair is, in addition, responsible for leadership of the NRM Group,
providing a strong link between the NRM Group Members and the SE NRM Board, as well
as being the public face for the NRM Group. The NRM Group Chair will also be responsible
for ensuring good governance, effective use of levy funds by the group and monitoring the
achievements of the NRM Group against the functions set out by the NRM Act (a position
description is available upon request).
What should I do now?
If you wish to nominate for membership of an NRM Group, please complete the following
GROUP NOMINATION FORM.
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NRM Group Nomination & Selection Process
NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
GROUP NOMINATION FORM
BACKGROUND
The SE NRM Board is seeking nominations from suitably skilled, experienced
and knowledgeable people. Individuals who are interested in being part of this
exciting, initiative for a term of two or four years are invited to apply. People
appointed to fill casual vacancies are appointed for the remainder of the term
for that vacancy.
ELIGIBILITY
A maximum one SA Government NRM Agency employee per NRM Group may
be appointed in accordance with SE NRM Board policy.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
All nominations to NRM Groups for the South East NRM Region will be assessed
on the following criteria, considered by the NRM Board as essential:

Understanding & genuine interest in
management issues of the South East region
natural
resources

Proven history and ability to listen and communicate effectively
with government, community and other committee members, work
as part of a team and appreciate other viewpoints and opinions.
Nominations for the position of NRM Group Chair will also be assessed on the
following essential criteria:

High level interpersonal and relationship building skills with proven
abilities in consulting, liaising and negotiating with people at all
levels.

Demonstrated ability to apply sound judgement and a risk
management approach to problem solving.

Demonstrated high level communication and writing skills and the
ability to present information in a manner relevant to a range of
audiences and purposes.

Ability to gather information, select an appropriate course of action
and implement action steps in a politically sensitive manner.
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
Sound experience as a Chair of a community group or committee.

Experience in public speaking and presentations to large groups.

Sound understanding of local integrated natural resources
management initiatives, programs and current issues and the ability
to articulate and apply that understanding in a practical capacity.
Nominations will also be assessed to achieve the most effective balance of
continuing NRM Group Members:

Spread of NRM backgrounds and knowledge across soil and land
management, water resources management, biodiversity, coast,
marine and estuarine management, pest animal & pest plant
control.

Spread of additional skills, understanding and experience including,
aboriginal community and culture, financial management,
community education and awareness, urban issues, forestry and
NRM-based industry including irrigated and dryland agriculture.

Appropriate balance of gender and geographical spread.
Special Condition:
Regular access to a computer with email (preferably high speed) is highly
desirable (especially for the position of Chair), as the majority of
correspondence is in this form.
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ENQUIRIES AND RETURN OF COMPLETED NOMINATIONS
Please return all nomination forms clearly marked “NRM Group Nomination” to:
South East NRM Board – NRM Groups
PO Box 1046
MT GAMBIER SA 5290
Or email: DEWNR.SENRMBoard@sa.gov.au
For further information please contact the SE NRM Board on:
Phone: (08) 8735 1177
or email: DEWNR.SENRMBoard@sa.gov.au
Closing Date: 4 pm Friday 29th January, 2016
Please note that the recruitment & selection process takes at least 8
weeks from receipt of application.
APPLICANT DETAILS
Please complete the following details in the spaces provided:
FULL NAME
POSTAL ADDRESS
CONTACT TELEPHONE
MOBILE PHONE
CONTACT EMAIL
CONTACT FAX
RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS
Term Length
(please circle or tick)
NRM GROUP you are
Nominating for
2 years
4 years
LOWER SOUTH EAST
UPPER SOUTH EAST
(please circle or tick)
GENDER (please tick)
MALE
FEMALE
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EXPERIENCE, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
Please complete the following details in some or all of the spaces provided. You are welcome to add
additional pages or attach a copy of your resume or other documents as you see appropriate.
Knowledge or Experience
(you may choose more than one)
Please
Tick
Evidence
(Eg. I am involved in primary production & have a farm in XX
area)
Aboriginal Community & Culture
Biodiversity
Business or Industry
Coast
Community Education &
Awareness
Dryland Agriculture
(Please indicate which type you
have experience in eg cropping)
Forestry
Irrigated Agriculture
(Please indicate which type you
have experience in eg dairying)
Land Management
Marine
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Pest Animal & Plant Control
Risk Management
Salinity
Your Understanding or
involvement in NRM
Urban NRM Issues
Water Resource Management
PLEASE PROVIDE A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF WHY YOU WISH TO BE A PART
OF AN NRM GROUP IN THE SOUTH EAST REGION?
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BRIEFLY DESCRIBE WHAT YOU BELIEVE ARE THE THREE MOST
IMPORTANT NATURAL RESOURCES ISSUES IN THE NRM GROUP AREA
YOU ARE NOMINATING FOR?
(Leaving aside climate change)
ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS IN BECOMING A NRM GROUP
MEMBER IS THE ABILITY TO OPERATE EFFECTIVELY AS PART OF A TEAM.
PLEASE DESCRIBE A SITUATION WHERE YOU HAVE BEEN A PART OF A
TEAM AND THE ROLE YOU PLAYED WITHIN THAT TEAM
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PLEASE LIST ANY CURRENT & PAST INVOLVEMENT IN NATURAL
RESOURCES MANAGEMENT BASED ORGANISATIONS.
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PLEASE LIST ANY CURRENT & PAST INVOLVEMENT IN OTHER RELEVANT
COMMUNITY, INDUSTRY OR STAKEHOLDER GROUPS OR ACTIVITIES.
PLEASE LIST ANY OTHER RELEVANT SKILLS, QUALIFICATIONS OR
EXPERIENCE YOU FEEL WOULD BRING VALUE TO THE NRM GROUP.
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PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS OF 2 REFEREES WITH WHOM WE MAY SPEAK2
REGARDING THE SKILLS, EXPERIENCES AND KNOWLEDGE LISTED IN
THIS NOMINATION (name, position, connection to you, telephone
number)
THANK YOU FOR YOUR NOMINATION
2
Please note the Board reserves the right to contact or not contact your referees.
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