Evaluation of the bilateral agreements for the regional component of the Natural Heritage Trust of Australia
Final Report to the Department of the Environment and Heritage and Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Prepared by ITS Global
January 2006
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About this document
The Natural Heritage Trust of Australia (NHT) was established by the Australian Government in 1996 to help restore and conserve Australia’s environment and natural resources through biodiversity conservation, sustainable use of natural resources and community capacity building and institutional change. Funding of $1.7 billion was provided in the initial phase. A further $1.3 billion was announced in 2004 as part of The Framework for the Extension of the Natural Heritage Trust (NHT Extension), with funding until 2007-2008.
The NHT Extension was introduced in 2002-03. It provides for regional arrangements under the NHT. The Australian Government has formed partnership arrangements with each state/territory government for the operation of the regional component of the NHT in each jurisdiction through the implementation of Bilateral Agreements. Each Bilateral Agreement reflects the particular needs and circumstances of the jurisdiction, but all Agreements were developed from a single "model" agreement.
The purpose of this evaluation is to assist the Natural Heritage Trust Advisory Committee (NHTAC) in its responsibility to advise the Natural Heritage Trust Ministerial Board about the effectiveness of the Bilateral Agreements.
The assessment seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of the current arrangements and determine the best and most effective and practical ways to improve them.
ITS Global undertook an extensive consultation program during August and September 2005 with Australian and state and territory officials involved in overseeing and administering the Bilateral Agreements and regional bodies across Australia who deliver natural resource management (NRM) activities through accredited regional plans and investment strategies.
The results of those consultations formed the basis for evaluation together with the documentation associated with the implementation of the NHT and the Bilateral Agreements.
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