NRM Communities
of Practice in Queensland
Theme-specific groups supporting shared learning and leadership development across the NRM sector.
Credit: NQ Dry Tropics
What are Communities of Practice in the NRM sector?
For nearly two decades, Queensland’s NRM sector has used Communities of Practice (CoPs) to strengthen collaboration and professional development.
The groups are built around shared areas of expertise across regional NRM organisations and focus on sharing best practices, building leadership capacity, and addressing subject-matter priorities.
NRM Regions Queensland currently provides support for seven Communities of Practice
GIS (Geographic Information System)
Natural Capital Markets
Communications
Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Improvement (MERI)
Indigenous Partnership
Business Managers
Human Resources
Collectively, these CoPs have more than 150 members from Queensland’s regional NRM organisations. Each meets three to four times a year, principally online with an annual face-to face meeting.
The Queensland NRM CEOs Group sponsors the CoPs and receives updates as part of its regular meetings.
Benefits of Communities of Practice in NRM
Build capability through state-wide learning and training
Develop leadership at all levels of the NRM workforce
A consultative forum for addressing technical issues
A supportive peer network for NRM practitioners
Identify shared professional development needs
Promote funding opportunities and other initiatives
Communities of Practice Review
A new Communities of Practice Blueprint will be launched in 2025–26 to guide and support the evolution of the CoPs capturing efficiencies where they exist and driving increased effectiveness.
To develop the Blueprint, NRM Regions Queensland engaged Stephen Berkeley of Flyntrock Consulting to conduct a comprehensive review of the CoPs. The review aimed to identify best practice ways of working, build the capabilities of CoP members, and establish clear success indicators.
The process began with a diagnostic health check, which included one-on-one interviews and a survey of more than 120 CoP members. Survey feedback informed a set of recommended improvements, which were then discussed with CoP members and CEOs in workshops and used to finalise the Blueprint.
Want to learn more about how we’re developing leadership capacity across Queensland’s NRM sector?
Explore the NRM Leadership Framework and read more about the National NRM Mentoring Program.
Credit: Reef Catchments
Regional NRM organisations in Queensland
