Bilateral Agreements
The framework for delivery of the Natural Heritage Trust (NHT) and National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality (NAP) in the NT, including Roles and Responsibilities, is set out Bilateral Agreements between the Northern Territory and Commonwealth governments, which were signed in June 2003 and February 2003 respectively.Northern Territory Ministers
Northern Territory Ministers for Natural Resources, the Environment and Heritage and Primary Industry and Fisheries and Commonwealth Ministers for Environment and Heritage and Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry have joint responsibility for implementing arrangements under these Bilateral Agreements including the accreditation of the Northern Territory Integrated Natural Resource Management (INRM) Plan and approval of the Regional Investment Strategy (RIS).
The two Commonwealth Ministers comprise the NHT Board and all four Ministers are members of the national NRM Ministerial Council.
NT and Commonwealth Ministers
Hon Leonard Kiely MLA |
NT Minister for Natural Resources, the Environment and Heritage |
Mr Christopher Natt MLA |
NT Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries |
Senator the Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP |
Commonwealth Minister for Environment and Heritage |
Hon Peter McGauran MP |
Commonwealth Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry |
NT/Commonwealth Joint Steering Committee
The Northern Territory/Commonwealth Joint Steering Committee (JSC) is the main vehicle for bilateral decision making and development of recommendations to Commonwealth and NT Ministers regarding delivery of the NHT and NAP in the NT, including:
- Development of principles and criteria for investment decisions;
- Recommendation of a 3 year rolling program for Trust investments to Ministers;
- Establishment of a Tripartite Agreement between governments and the Natural Resource Management Board (NRMB);
- Authorisation of payment release from Single Holding Account;
- Ensuring community engagement in the implementation of the INRM Plan;
- Monitoring investments and progress towards meeting resource condition targets;
- Reporting to NT and Australian Government Ministers annually.
The Chief Executive of the Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts (NRETA) will consult with the JSC on appointment of the NRMB and any changes proposed to the Constitution.
Membership of the NT/Commonwealth Joint Steering Committee
Brent Williams |
A/Co- Chairman JSC A/Senior Director Natural Resource Management Division Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts |
Ian Smith |
Director Natural Resource Policy and Planning, Environment and the Arts |
Christine Long |
A/Director Primary Industry Services, Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries and Mines |
Mary Colreavy |
Co- Chairman JSC Assistant Secretary, Australian Government NRM Team, Department Environment and Heritage |
Gerry Smith |
General Manager, Australian Government NRM Team, Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry |
Sue van-Cuylenburg |
Observer Chairman Natural Resource Management Board |
NT Government
The NT Government will encourage partnerships and advocate a regional, strategic whole of government approach to involvement in the INRM Plan. Officers will be available to provide technical and scientific advice to the NRMB.
The Community Programs Branch, NRETA will be the Northern Territory government point of contact for matters in relation to the NHT and NAP and will be responsible for:
- monitoring and reporting to the JSC on the Single Holding Account, NTG matching funding and progress towards achieving resource condition targets identified in the INRM Plan; and
- implementation of a Service Level Agreement with the NRMB, which will include contractual and financial obligations under the NHT and NAP, including reporting on the progress towards achieving management action targets outlined in the INRMP
