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NRM Structural Review 2021
Regional NRM organisations have experienced significant reviews and change over the past decade and a recent report, titled ‘NRM Structural Review: Developing Strong Regional NRM Bodies for Changing Environmental Challenges’ documents some of the learnings from those structural changes,

Regional NRM organisations have experienced significant reviews and change over the past decade and a recent report, titled ‘NRM Structural Review: Developing Strong Regional NRM Bodies for Changing Environmental Challenges’ documents some of the learnings from those structural changes,

In the early 2000s a regional model of structure for natural resource management resulted in a community-based natural resource management framework being adopted in Queensland. However, this has not been accompanied by programmatic funding.

To adjust to pressures on revenue, structural changes have taken place through regional NRM organisations coming together under one new business entity, including the opportunity to share ‘back of house’ or corporate services, or more formally share project delivery across different entities under various alliances.

Some of these examples have worked very successfully whilst others, have not achieved the desired outcomes.

NRM Regions Queensland (NRMRQ) commissioned James Cook University (JCU) to conduct a review of learnings from the structural adjustments in the NRM sector in Queensland which form the basis of the report.

The study examines the overall learnings from four recent structural change processes in Queensland. Structural change refers to a number of scenarios, including the creation of a new entity and closing existing regional NRM organisations; the amalgamation of regional NRM organisations, and keeping regional NRM organisations but creating an additional alliance or entity.

The project was conducted in 2021 using a multi-method research design. A stakeholder analysis was undertaken and interviews with 24 critical stakeholders were conducted. The data was analysed using inductive and deductive approaches. Ethics approval was obtained from the Human Research Ethics Committee of James Cook University to ensure the compliance with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research.

Participants identified a range of critical issues relating to structural changes in regional NRM organisations and these issues are listed as key learnings in the report.

Access the report here.