Queensland Murray Darling Catchments NRM could replace three southern Queensland bodies

In what has been described as “the first move” in developing new NRM management, the three southern Queensland bodies investigated options to improve arrangements in the region with a proposal put forward to change the current structure. 

A working group, of current NRM body members Jim Cavaye, Noel Strohfeld, Graham Cooke, Mark O’Brien, Karen Tully and George Moore, recommended a proposal to establish one new group to replace the existing bodies. 

In it, the working group outlined the need for NRM services to be more attractive to governments and other potential investors. 

“Governments have less available money for NRM and want to see structures that produce the same, and often more, outcomes with less money,” the proposal reads.

“They are questioning whether having 14 NRM Bodies in Queensland is the most efficient way to deliver NRM services.”

The proposal is now open for feedback until March 16 with a revised document to be put to the three existing groups by April 27 to consider. All three groups must agree to the new arrangement before any changes will be made. 

In November, Condamine Alliance Chair Malcolm McKay, QMDC Chair Noel Strohfeld, and South West NRM Chair Mark O’Brien, released a statement following speculation over their groups’ future. 

They said there were a number of challenges the NRM bodies faced. 

“We face a very competitive public funding environment, where federal government programs are open to competitive tender with the potential for many different organisations to complete with NRM regional bodies,” they said.

“Also, at the grassroots, there is a need to reinvigorate NRM, attract more volunteers, support local organisations and position NRM to attract a more diverse range of community members.”

To have your say about the proposed changes email feedback@swnrm.org.au. or go online at www.surveymonkey.com/r/NLVTPYL