- Complete INRM Plan (pdf 1.3bmb)
- Complete Maps & Appendices (pdf 28.29mb)
- INRM Plan Vision (pdf 24kb)
- INRM Plan Assets (pdf 24kb)
- INRM Plan Acronyms (pdf 19kb)
- Introduction (pdf 63kb)
- Where to from here? Implementing the INRM Plan (pdf 247kb)
- Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting (pdf 59kb)
- Glossary (40kb)
What is the Plan and what is it for?
Sustaining our resources – people, country and enterprises is a comprehensive strategy for using and conserving our natural resources, which describes their current condition, how they are used, the threats to their integrity and how we can deal with those threats.The Plan divides our natural resources into five main assets:
- Terrestrial Biodiversity (pdf 90kb)
- Land (pdf 91kb)
- Inland Waters (pdf 76kb)
- Coastal & Marine (pdf 75kb)
- Communities, NRM Institutions and Knowledge (pdf 67kb)
- Integrated Natural Resource Management (INRM), which recognises land, sea, coasts, freshwater systems, their biodiversity and their people are interconnected, so any INRM Plan must therefore help develop the legislation, policies and programs that will allow us to cross institutional, cultural and geographical boundaries to deal with the multiple threats to these connected assets
- Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD), which means using, conserving and enhancing the community’s resources to maintain the ecological processes on which life depends and to improve total quality of life now and in the future
- The Precautionary Principle, which means that we have to err on the side of caution when we make planning decisions where there is little or no information about the baseline condition of a resource or about the likely impact of any development of that resource
- Adaptive Management, which assumes that our knowledge of how to manage the environment is incomplete or imperfect and so managers need to adopt the best known course of action, monitor it rigorously and evaluate progress so they can modify or improve their management where they need to.
Terrestrial Biodiversity
Despite the apparently intact nature of the Territory’s landscapes, 16 vertebrate species have become extinct in the wild, more than 150 species of plants and animals are listed as threatened with extinction and about 400 others are listed as near-threatened. The long-term target of the Plan for this asset is that by 2050, the Territory’s terrestrial biodiversity will be conserved through effective and informed management to sustain the environmental, cultural and economic values of Northern Territorians.
Issues and Threats
The main threat to biodiversity in the Territory is broad-scale environmental change caused by altered fire regimes and the spread of exotic animals and invasive plants.
Fire
Fire regimes have changed over the past two centuries and the Territory now experiences frequent fires in the Top End and extensive fires in years following good rainfall in the Arid Centre. This causes changes in the nature and composition of vegetation and has a negative impact on native animal species; for example, ‘thickening’ in woody vegetation, grasslands being replaced by trees and shrubs and general declines in fire-resistant species.
Declared weeds and ecologically invasive plants
Between 1947 and 1985, an estimated 463 exotic grasses and plants were deliberately introduced into northern Australia as pasture species. Only 21 of these are now considered useful and 60 of the species (13 per cent) are now listed as weeds of agricultural or conservation significance.They are a major threat to biodiversity because they affect fire regimes, compete with native plants, reduce habitat quality for native animals, block access to rivers and wetlands, affect surface water flow and water quality and reduce aesthetic qualities in landscapes.
Exotic animal species
Hooved or hard-footed animals foul waterholes, selectively graze and damage vegetation, spread weeds, trample nests of ground-dwellers and cause erosion. Predatory feral animals – like foxes and feral cats – have already contributed to the extinction of some Central Australian mammals and continue to affect mammals and birds elsewhere. Cane toad poisoning seems to cause local extinctions of Northern Quoll and may be affecting other species. Crazy ants and big-headed ants are having a significant impact on invertebrate biodiversity.
More than half of the 112 mapped vegetation types in the NT are either not reserved or inadequately represented in the formal reserve system. Only 3.7 per cent of land in the NT is reserved, very little of it grassland.
Compounding threats or pressures
Threatening processes may interact: where feral animals have disturbed the land, weeds may invade and change the fire regime. Different cultures place different values on exotic species: many Aboriginal people might economically value some feral species, like camel and buffalo, for instance.
By 2020:
- the extent, condition and functionality of all native environments in the Territory will be maintained at levels to be set by 2006
- there will be a comprehensive, adequate and representative protected area system developed through successful negotiation with landholders and jointly managed, which will include at least 15 per cent of all vegetation types and at least 90 per cent of the Territory’ native plant and vertebrate species
- declared weeds, ecologically invasive plants and feral animals will be strategically contained to the extent that they have no significant impact on the conservation status of any Territory species or ecological community.
How this is to be achieved is detailed in Management Action Targets MAT3-1 to MAT3-15 and Management Actions MA3-1 to MA3-54, which are to be found in the Plan and in the consolidated document Natural Resource Management Targets for the Northern Territory.
The continued health of the NT’s soils is the foundation for pastoral, horticultural, agricultural, tourism and Aboriginal land uses. It needs to be maintained to sustain our rich terrestrial biodiversity. By 2050, land use in the Territory will be maintaining ecosystem services, resource quality and the diversity of cultural values and maintaining or enhancing productive capacity.
Issues and Threats
Sustainably managing land means dealing with key pressures that result from the interaction of contemporary patterns of land use, prevailing threats and the legacy of past use.
Soil erosion
While soil erosion is an issue across the Territory, its impacts – whether natural or accelerated – are often quite localised. Among the factors contributing to soil erosion are:
- high intensity fires
- clearing vegetation for housing, horticulture or agriculture
- overgrazing by excessive numbers of domestic stock or feral animals
- cultivation
- overuse of camping or river access areas
- exposure of base soil by mining and extractive industries
- inappropriate placement, design or maintenance for infrastructure.
Dryland and irrigation salinity
These are not problems for the Territory yet, although some inland areas may be affected in the future.
Soil acidification
While little work has been carried out on this and long-term effects are unknown, agriculture can accelerate soil acidification. Loss of alkalinity from crop removal needs to be widely recognised so producers can crop in a sustainable manner.
Acid leaching
This is a localised threat to groundwater in areas where there has been mining.
Declared weeds and ecologically invasive plant species
As well as the threats to biodiversity, these can reduce the amount of forage for stock and produce toxins affecting stock that ingest them, so there may be impacts on some land-based industries.
Feral animals
These can significantly diminish resource quality and contribute to erosion.
Fire regimes
Changes to landscape features, especially vegetation patterns, may make landscapes more vulnerable
to frequent hot fires that burn extensive areas. This can in turn expose large areas of soil to erosion by surface run-off from subsequent rains.
Greenhouse emissions
While bushfires account for about half of the NT’s greenhouse gas emissions, pastoralism and agriculture account for a further 12 per cent mainly from enteric fermentation in cattle and fertilizers. Land clearing and soil tillage also make a significant contribution.
Climate change
While the degree and nature of climate change remains uncertain, it poses challenges to the
sustainability of current land use patterns and the viability of key Territory industries.
Targets for land
By 2015, there should be no increase from 2005 levels to the extent of land area affected by dryland or irrigation salinity.By 2020:
- landscape health for all land types will be maintained at levels set in 2006
- declared weeds and feral animals will be strategically contained to the extent that they have minimal impact on sustainable land use.
How this is to be achieved is detailed in Management Action Targets MAT4-1 to MAT4-14 and Management Actions MA4-1 to MA4-59 which are to be found in the Plan and in the consolidated document Natural Resource Management Targets for the Northern Territory.
The availability of water drives many fundamental ecological processes, so maintaining the health of rivers, wetlands and groundwater resources is critical to the integrity of the Territory’s landscapes.By 2050:
- rivers, wetlands and groundwater systems will be conserved, managed and rehabilitated to maintain aquatic biodiversity and ecological processes and for the livelihoods and lifestyles of Territorians
- water resources surplus to environmental requirements will be equitably allocated to continue to support domestic, pastoral, agricultural, horticultural, fisheries, mining and other industrial uses
Issues and threats
The current lack of coordinated and sustained research into, and monitoring of, the condition and extent of inland water systems limits our capacity for informed and integrated natural resource management.
Introduced plants
Weeds can seriously affect the ecological functions of wetlands, radically alter the composition of surrounding vegetation, affect the hydrological regime or contribute to higher fuel loads, which means more frequent wildfire in surrounding vegetation.
Uncontrolled grazing
Trampling and fouling by pastoral stock and feral animals like buffalo, pigs, donkeys, horses and camels are significant threats to the biodiversity and the cultural values of the Territory’s inland water systems.
Altered hydrological regimes
Water extraction for public supply, stock or horticulture, agriculture or mining, together with the placing of roads, drains and other infrastructure, are emerging threats to water-dependent ecosystems.
Tidal intrusion of seawater
The condition of some major estuarine systems and coastal wetlands is declining because of tidal intrusion of seawater. While its origins are a matter for debate, sea level changes associated with global warming may be involved. Trampling by stock and feral animals may also erode natural tidal barriers.
Pollution
Inland waters are under threat from pollutants like herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, effluent, stormwater run-off, sediment loads from excessive landclearing, overgrazing and wildfires. Mining discharge may contaminate some groundwaters and there is a threat to waterholes from sunscreen, soaps and insect repellents used by swimmers.
Fire
Fire-sensitive wetland plant communities can be severely affected by adverse fire regimes. The spread of introduced grasses has been accompanied by dramatic increases in the frequency and intensity of fires in some wetlands.
Feral pest species
Cane toad toxin is already affecting aquatic and wetlands-dependent wildlife and mosquito fish (Gambusia) have been detected in wetlands.
Erosion damage
Intense grazing pressure, four-wheel driving and camping, with accompanying heavy use of river access points for fishing and boating, are affecting riparian systems and wetlands.
Climate change
Decreased rainfall and increased evaporation as a result of climate change is likely to affect the
Arid Centre and the Savanna Rangelands.
Targets for inland waters
By 2020:
- water resources in the Territory will maintain aquatic biodiversity, sustain water-dependent ecosystems and support enterprise and domestic use
- regional water resources, including underground water, will be allocated equitably within defined sustainable yields
- surface and groundwater quality will be maintained in all undeveloped catchments
- surface and groundwater quality will be improved in degraded and developed catchments.
How this is to be achieved is detailed in Management Action Targets MAT5-1 to MAT5-9 and Management Actions MA5-1 to MA5-44 which are to be found in the Plan and in the consolidated document Natural Resource Management Targets for the Northern Territory.
The Northern Territory coastline is ecologically and culturally diverse and much of the coastline and adjoining marine waters and habitats remains intact. Coastal and marine resources support major economic activities, among them Indigenous customary harvest, commercial and recreational fishing, shipping and tourism.By 2050:
- Territorians will have improved capacity to sustainably and effectively manage the NT’s marine, estuarine and coastal environment
- Indigenous Ecological Knowledge and better scientific knowledge will contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of the Territory’s coastal and marine areas and resources.
Issues and threats
Gaps in the scientific knowledge base have made it difficult to evaluate the overall condition of the Territory’s coastal and marine assets. There are major cultural and conceptual differences in the way people view ownership and management of coastal and marine areas and resources and widely varying capacity among the different communities to engage in active planning.
Take levels
There is documented concern about take levels for the mud crab and shark fisheries. Some aggregating species may be vulnerable to fishing pressures.
Marine debris
Marine debris – predominantly discarded foreign fishing nets - is linked to the death of marine turtles, dugongs and cetaceans. This is a Territory problem which needs a coordinated international solution.
Pollution
Coastal and estuarine waters are likely to be polluted in densely settled areas or areas where there is industrial or other economic activity. Principal sources of pollution are effluent and stormwater, although silt loads, nutrients and toxins may arise from mining discharge, agriculture, horticulture and urban or industrial development.
Pest species
Dumping of ballast water or inadequate hull anti-fouling measures in ships and boats visiting Territory waters has the potential to introduce harmful new pest species, both animal and vegetable, to coastal and marine habitats. There are also implications for coastal environments in managing the spread of cane toads in the Territory.
Small and scattered populations
As is the case with inland regions, the fact that large parts of the coastal environment are virtually uninhabited makes it difficult to manage coastal and marine natural resources.
Climate change
Predicted changes in temperature ranges, the frequency and duration of extreme temperatures and rising sea levels will have an impact on coastal and marine ecosystems.
Targets for coastal and marineBy 2015:
- Mechanisms and institutional arrangements for stewardship and
sustainability of coastal and marine resources will be established - The structure and function of key marine, estuarine and coastal habitats
and the ecosystem services they provide will be maintained or improved - Nutrient and toxin levels and suspended sediment loads entering coastal
and marine environments from point and diffuse sources on land and at
sea will be identified; methods to measure and manage trends will be
developed.
By 2020, priority (as per the EPBC Act 1999) and culturally important coastal and marine species will be protected across their range and their key habitats will be managed and conserved. How this is to be achieved is detailed in Management Action Targets MAT6-1 to MAT6-9 and Management Actions MA6-1 to MA6-49 which are to be found in the Plan and in the consolidated document Natural Resource Management Targets for the Northern Territory.
Communities, NRM Institutions and Knowledge
A Territory landscape that lacks its people is by definition an unhealthy and unsustainable landscape. The Plan, acknowledging people as essential elements of landscapes, aims to strengthen their ability to sustain enduring and beneficial relationships with all other elements in landscapes.By 2025:
- NT communities will have the confidence, capacity and equitable access to knowledge, skills and resources to manage their land and sea estates sustainably
- Institutions responsible for natural resource management in the territory will be providing appropriate, effective and coordinated planning through processes that involve participation in decision-making and allocation of resources.
Issues and threats
Territorians’ ability to participate effectively in NRM is constrained by the Territory’s sheer size, the remoteness of most settlements from infrastructure and other support and the sparse population outside the few major centres. Diversity of cultures and languages and significant variations in socio-economic and educational status add to the challenges.
Community engagement
Community engagement means dealing with:
- remoteness and consequently greater costs in planning and works
- the lack of comprehensive baseline data
- fragmented storage of formal data and, in some cases, limited access to NRM information.
Social challenges
When people are preoccupied with the pressing issues of delivering basic services to meet their basic needs, it is difficult to get NRM incorporated into planning
Institutional change
Deep-seated institutional change and better links between plans are needed to deal with:
- the interruptions to momentum that characterize the short-term nature of territory and Commonwealth funding programs
- planning and on-ground management responsibilities fragmented across agencies and sectors, inhibiting integration and improved coordination
- localised NRM plans operating in isolation, often with ambiguous status and without formal links to larger planning frameworks.
Indigenous Ecological Knowledge
Current trends show an intergenerational loss of this knowledge, which is an important aspect of the Territory’s knowledge base.
Targets for communities, NRM institutions and knowledge
By 2015
- increasing numbers of land and sea managers will be reporting more equitable access to the resources and skills needed for active participation in NRM
- increasing numbers of land and sea managers will be reporting improved recognition, availability and use of NRM knowledge and information, including accessible Indigenous Ecological Knowledge
- increasing numbers of people will be employed and trained in stewardship roles on all land tenure types
- there will be a measurable change in the NT’s enterprise mix to a greater number of sustainable and economically and socially viable industries.
