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Principles for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Participation in NRM
Queensland’s NRM sector comes together to share knowledge and expertise around Indigenous participation in natural resource management through an Indigenous Participation Community of Practice.

Queensland’s NRM sector comes together to share knowledge and expertise around Indigenous participation in natural resource management through an Indigenous Participation Community of Practice.

That Community of Practice aims to foster greater coordination and collaboration across the
NRM sector and initiate and drive change at a state-wide level.

The Community of Practice has recently collaborated to prepare a document outlining principles for the participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in natural resource management.

The Principles of Practice articulate the sector’s commitment to collective, coordinated, cooperative and considered mechanisms for driving positive social, environment and economic change in Queensland.

‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Participation Principles of Practice’ sets out the sector’s commitment tworking with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities to build capacity and relationships, exchange knowledge, listen and learn and generate positive social, environmental and economic outcomes.

The document outlines the commitment of Queensland’s regional NRM organisations as well as principles and actions which support transition from NRM-led activities to:

a) a model where NRM and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander agencies work together to plan and deliver activities; which will in turn lead to;
b) an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led model where Traditional Owner agencies work with NRM bodies to plan and deliver activities.

As well as exploring these principles, the document also identifies national and international agreements aligned with the principles. These include:

  • The Australian Government’s commitment as a signatory to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which includes a commitment to Free, Prior and Informed Consent as a best practice model for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement;
  • Responsibilities set out in Australian and Queensland legislation and policy, including Traditional Owner agreements, Native Title, Aboriginal Heritage, the National Water Initiative, Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act as well as the Catchment and Land Protection Act;
  • The Council of Australian Governments’ commitment to Closing the Gap in Indigenous Disadvantage;
  • The Australian Government’s commitment to increasing Traditional Owner participation in its own natural resource management programs.

View the full report here.