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Sustainable Resource Management Business Unit Role and Responsibilities
Sustainable Resource Management Objective
To advance the sustainable use of Australia’s natural resources – land, water, vegetation and fisheries – and security of access to them by providing high quality and timely policy advice and services, by delivering effective programs and by consulting and working with stakeholders.
Key Priorities
Sustainable use and management of natural resources underpins Australia’s agricultural food, fisheries and forestry industries. The long-term future of resource-reliant industries and the rural and regional communities that depend on them requires a sustainably managed resource base. Currently, Australia faces major sustainability challenges from land and water degradation.
DAFF is responsible for policies and programs to encourage the sustainable and productive management of Australia’s natural resources. The department works with community groups, industries, states and territory governments and other Australian Government departments to develop strategies for improved natural resource management.
DAFF contributes to policy and program development and implementation in the following key areas:
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Improving water access arrangements
DAFF works to ensure access to water resources for all users and to promote its efficient allocation, use and sustainable management. The department work across governments to implement the National Water Initiative. It also coordinates and assists in the development of water resource assessment methodologies to support national and regional reporting and water accounting.
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Encouraging sustainable resource access and use
DAFF develops policies to position the agricultural sector to meet the challenges of achieving sustainable production. In partnerships with Australian agricultural industries DAFF prioritises natural resource management issues and improves coordination of policies at each level of government and at the regional level to manage production and conservation tradeoffs flexibly and to minimise regulations.
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Information for improved natural resource management
Accurate and reliable information and knowledge is essential to the sustainable use of natural resources and policy development and program implementation. The Australian Government has several initiatives that assess and report on the condition, use and management of Australia’s natural resources. These include the National Land and Water Resources Audit, Signposts for Australian Agriculture project and the Natural Heritage Trust Environment Management Systems Programs.
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Promote and facilitate greater adoption of sound natural resource management practices particularly at the catchment or regional level
DAFF supports primary industries, communities and regions through targeted programs to improve natural resource management practices and management of the natural resource base. In addition to achieving specific program objectives, leveraging complementary investment from the private sector, state/territories and local governments is also an important outcome.
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Key programs
See also: RSustainable Resource Management Division Contacts