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Advisory committees

Advisory committees play an important role in the relationship between the NPWS and the community. There are 18 regional advisory committees across New South Wales, plus a special committee for Hartley Historic Site. The committees:

  • Recommend improvements to the care, control and management of parks and reserves in a particular region
  • Comment on off-park issues, where these are likely to have some impact on parks and reserves or on natural and cultural heritage conservation generally
  • Provide input to development of draft plans of management for parks and reserves in a particular region
  • Liaise with community and interest groups to seek their views on NPWS issues
  • Provide expert advice on technical and specialist matters
  • Audit and review pest and fire management programs
  • Give feedback to the community about NPWS issues and initiatives
  • Act as customer councils for the NPWS, reviewing customer needs and the services and facilities provided in parks and reserves

Advisory committees may make recommendations to:


Advisory committees may make recommendations to:

  • the NPWS regional manager for the relevant region
  • the Head, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Deputy Director General
  • the Director-General of the Department of Environment and Climate Change
  • the National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council

The operation of advisory committees is covered under the National Parks and Wildlife Act and Regulations. The responsibilities of both the committees and the NPWS are contained in a memorandum of understanding between both parties, which you can download below.

Documents to download


Who are the typical members of an advisory committee?

Advisory committees may comprise between 12 and 17 members. Committee members are usually drawn from:

  • local councils
  • landowners whose property adjoins a park or reserve
  • the rural community
  • recreational interest groups
  • conservation groups
  • bush fire brigades
  • people working in education, science and tourism
  • the Aboriginal community.

More information
Term of appointment

The term of appointment is for four years.

Meetings

Generally, advisory committees meet four times per year. Agendas are distributed in advance. Meetings are interspersed with field inspections, or at times may be held concurrently with field inspections.

In applying for membership of an advisory committee, applicants should be prepared to make a commitment to attend meetings regularly, and to participate in other advisory committee activities.

Advisory committee membership is honorary. No sitting fees are paid, but any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending meetings or conducting advisory committee business will be reimbursed by the NPWS.

Why join an advisory committee?

When advisory committee members were asked about the value of being on an advisory committee, they volunteered a broad range of comments, including:

  • The satisfaction of having an effective input into plans of management for local national parks, fire management plans and other planning strategies.
  • Field excursions to view planning issues with National Parks staff.
  • Being involved in the planning process from the very start, with the pre-draft stages of planning, all the way through community consultation to the completion of the plan.
  • Being part of a group that liaised with the local community over a difficult issue, gaining an understanding of the issues involved and developing a solution.
  • Seeing changes to the National Parks and Wildlife Act which recognised the strategic planning ability of advisory committees.
  • Gaining an increased understanding of National Parks planning processes, getting to know staff and becoming familiar with local national parks.
  • Consulting with Aboriginal people about cultural heritage conservation.
  • Gaining an appreciation of how NPWS staff have coped with drought, pests, and fire, often working with park neighbours to tackle problems.

Current Committee Chair for the Far South Coast Region Advisory Committee, Bob Ross, said that being part of the advisory committee is a very fulfilling position and an opportunity to make a real difference to local environmental issues. "I feel we managed to represent a good cross-section of views to park management and really influence decision making for the good of the community," Mr Ross said.

Applying to be an advisory committee member

Applications for membership of advisory committees are being accepted until 26 October 2007. All applications will be acknowledged.

All applications will now be carefully reviewed by the NPWS before being submitted to the Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Water. The Minister will consider all applications and determine the members to be appointed to each advisory committee. At that stage applicants will be advised of the outcome of their application. Please contact us if you have any inquiries about the application process.

NOTE: This process may take up to 6 months to finalise.


More information

 

 

Page last updated: 22 September 2008