The LGRG has established a strategic direction and is working on a number of practical tools to assist the Local Governments become full partners.
The Priority Issues table is a tool to show, at a glance, the issues raised by both Theme and Geographical Reference Groups in order to inform all Reference Groups of the issues raised and the work being done to address them. Each Table will become part of an NRM Data Base that will provide reports to track how all of the issues are being dealt with.
Please click here to download an example of the table with explanations for each of the headings.
All of the reference groups will be asked to check and approve the headings. In a parallel process, PRNRM will collate all of the priority issues into the two tables to allow the Reference Groups to see where their issues intersect with those of the other Reference Groups. This information will be built into the Data Base so that accessing information on progress with the priority issues and linked projects will be quick and easy.
Examples of the Priority Issues Tables will be attached to the agendas of the first Reference Group meetings in 2009.
The Program and Project Information System will assist PRNRM staff and stakeholders to acquire in-depth and specific knowledge about projects in a quick and efficient manner. This will aid in:
• Creating new projects
• Tracking existing projects
• Identifying gaps, duplication and overlaps
• Supporting Program Logic, which shows how agreed NRM
Outcomes and Targets will be achieved
A Pilot of the PPIS has been successfully completed and this phase will be to build it into the NRM Database so reports can be provided for a range of information on the NRM programs and projects being undertaken in the Region.
The next step will be to enter the PRNRM projects, but we will then be adding two Local Governments and then hopefully rolling it out across all local governments in the region, noting that this could take some time.
PRNRM is currently calling for expressions of interest for the Database.
PRNRM is developing Program Logic for its Programs and Projects to show how they will achieve the agreed Outcomes and Targets. This is a requirement for State and Commonwealth funding.
Program Logic will allow all of the partners delivering NRM to see how the projects are progressing and enable adjustments to be made in the annual review of linked Business Plans.
Program Logic will complement and be linked to another Commonwealth and State requirement for Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Innovation (MERI).
Work on the Program and Projects Information System and the Priority Issues Tables has shown the need for a Contacts Network, which will be included in the NRM Database. The Network will show all of the contacts in PRNRM and the partner organisations, starting with Local Governments, for all of the programs and projects, and other NRM work.
This will allow searches by topic so information on the people working on the topic can be quickly found. The Contacts List will also mean finding relevant experts and expertise should be a quick and easy process.
As a support and implementation framework, short Program and Reference Group Business Plans will be developed as a subset of the PRNRM Strategy and Business Plan to show how they individually and collectively achieve the longer term Regional NRM Outcomes and Targets.
The LG NRM framework, when implemented will enable Local Governments in the Region to clarify their roles and responsibilities in working with State Government and its agencies to deliver landscape scale NRM. In turn, it will assist PRNRM, State and Commonwealth agencies, industry and the community to more easily and consistently engage with Local Government in achieving agreed NRM Outcomes and Targets.
A LG NRM framework should increase the effectiveness and efficiency of NRM investment, and hopefully increase funding from a range of sources.
Please click here for a copy of the report "Integrating NRM into Local Government Core Business" by Alan Lonsdale and Bruce Hamilton, and here for its attachment document "Case Studies".
Another use of the NRM Database will be to provide a Project Management and Reporting systems to speed up and improve reporting to funding bodies and partners on how the projects are achieving NRM Outcomes and Targets. Along with Program Logic it will also enhance the ability of PRNRM to track its performance against the program logic framework. Ideally all of the partners should have linked Project Management systems, but this is unlikely in the near future.
