Evaluation of coastal, estuarine and marine outcomes of regional investment
Final Report to the Department of the Environment and Heritage and Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Prepared by SMEC Australia Pty. Ltd., June 2006
ISBN: 0642 55242 8
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About this document
SMEC Australia has prepared this report as part of the ‘Evaluation of coastal estuarine and marine outcomes of regional investment” for the Department of the Environment and Heritage (DEH). The report is one of a number of evaluations undertaken by the Australian Government on investment through the Natural Heritage Trust (NHT). The purpose of the evaluation was:
To assess the effectiveness of regional investment in coastal, estuarine and marine (CEM) conservation, sustainable use and management to meeting the objectives and outcomes of the Natural Heritage Trust and the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality (NAP).
The objectives of the evaluation, as taken from the Statement of Requirements (see Appendix 1), were to identify:
- the extent to which CEM priorities are being integrated effectively into natural resource management (NRM) regional plans and investment strategies and the likely effectiveness of investments
- the extent to which the other elements of the regional delivery model (priority project funding, competitive components and multi-regional activities) are contributing to meeting CEM objectives, and the likely effectiveness of investments
- lessons learned that might inform future regional planning and investment arrangements
The evaluation involved assessment of data, collected through the following methods:
- desktop review of all 36 coastal Regional Plans
- review of relevant plans, policies and the Bilateral Agreements
- qualitative and quantitative information from a postal/email survey provided by 35 of 36 coastal Natural Resource Management (NRM) bodies and 13 external stakeholders
- qualitative information from semi-structured interviews with 13 NRM bodies selected for case study (11 face to face and two by phone) and 25 stakeholders across a range of sectors
- qualitative information from a semi-structured interview via teleconference with the Australian Government Facilitators - Coastcare
- review of work on monitoring, evaluation and reporting and Matters for Target currently being undertaken by the Inter-governmental Coastal Advisory Group (ICAG) and the National Land and Water Audit.
The response to and involvement in the evaluation by the NRM bodies and stakeholders was tremendous – with detailed, considered and constructive input throughout all stages of the data collection process.
The postal/email survey and the guidelines for the semi-structured interviews were developed from the Statement of Requirements and were finalised with the Steering Committee (members listed at Appendix 2).
The evaluation sought information from individuals who have been involved in the planning and delivery of CEM outcomes through the regional investment framework, and who have a working knowledge of NAP/NHT2 programs. In over 50% of responses and interviews, the Chief Executive Officer or Chair of the NRM body was involved. Participants in the process were encouraged to provide honest views and opinions, hence, the information collected, in some instances, differs from current policy or official position of government (federal and state/territory) and the NRM bodies.
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