The geographic reference groups link across to the other geographic reference groups and theme based reference groups to ensure a best course of action is outlined for all NRM issues across the Perth Region.
For example, the East Reference Group is working with the Department of Water and Local Governments to look at improving policies on Illegal Damming. The Integrated Water Management Reference Group has given support and direction to the East Reference Group. The South Reference Group members have expressed interest in this work, so any outcomes will be communicated back to the South. Coordinating actions through the Geographic Reference Groups is a powerful and useful tool in working with Local, State and Federal Governments to attract support and funding.
Geographic reference group meetings are essential in both
distributing and collecting useful information, which in turn will
provide both an 'ear' and a 'voice' for the Perth Region NRM
community. It also provides a forum for networking and
transferring of ideas that work in other regions.
Members can use the meetings to bring forward the work they are
doing, and be informed about things happening in other parts of the
Perth Region that may be relevant to them. Perth Region NRM
has a wide network of stakeholders and contacts, and if Reference
Group members would like assistance in dealing with, or any
information from, the State Agencies, Utilities or other
Organisations, we would be happy to assist by organising
presentations at meetings, or setting up meetings out of
session.
Perth Region NRM aims to work effectively with all stakeholders to identify critical gaps in NRM and work collectively with stakeholders to determine best practice management principles and projects to overcome the gaps.
This process may be as simple as promoting and distributing information about projects/ actions that are contributing to PRNRM's Vision and or Targets, through PRNRM's various networks. In other cases it may be supporting a community group, or government agency to overcome NRM gaps, or in some situations advocating for resources to tackle the gap.
The role of those who attend the Reference Groups is to provide information relevant to the NRM targets, and to offer guidance and suggestions to the overall direction and actions of Perth Region NRM. The members around the table have considerable expertise in NRM, and have been invited to sit on the reference groups as local experts. Their role is to ensure that Perth Region NRM are kept informed on relevant programs, projects or activities that will bridge the gaps and assist other community groups within the Perth Region.
Reference group members also assist in the development Actions for the Geographic Reference Groups and in some cases, where those actions link directly to work they are doing as part of their day to day roles, to complete actions or activities out of session. The intent is to not create more work, but to integrate the work that is already occurring.
