The South East Queensland Natural Resource Management Plan (NRM Plan) has been approved by the Australian Government

The plan submitted to the government is the result of a year long review and future-scoping process, involving a deep dive into the science, a comprehensive online survey, and feedback from a series of regional workshops. We consolidated the science and feedback into a draft for consultation and incorporated the final feedback receive before submitting for approval in early February.

We would like to thank the many hundreds of people who contributed their insights and ideas, to ensure we are acting on the most current information and responding to changing circumstances.

We will be officially launching the update in August.

About the review

The large-scale public survey was an important part of the 5 yearly review of South East Queensland’s Natural Resource Management Plan (NRM Plan).

The NRM Plan is at the heart of what we do at Healthy Land and Water, driving our actions for the sustainability and liveability of our region.

Healthy Land and Water is focused on ensuring the priorities in South East Queensland’s NRM Plan are moving with and adapting to our changing environments and supporting communities in the best way possible.

This review is the second review since the plan’s inception in 2009. The review process is rigorous, spanning over a year.

It started with a comprehensive analysis of the data and science of progress against a set of baseline targets that were set for the region in 2009.

The next phase was getting as much feedback as possible from broad cross-section of stakeholders, which has been invaluable in future action planning. This step adds an enormous layer of intel to the raw data that is collected (who better to know the condition and threats to South East Queensland’s natural assets that the people who live here!).

The survey gathered valuable data on the management of South East Queensland’s natural assets and progress against a set of baseline targets that were set for the region in 2009, to take us to 2030. It gathered knowledge on threats to our assets and enables us to jointly plan actions for a desirable future for South East Queensland.

We have taken utmost care in preparing a survey that reflects this significance, that is based on robust science and data, and that endeavours to engage and invite useful and substantial feedback on the future of our region’s assets.

Healthy Land and Water reviewed the collated data sets, analysis methods, and progress against the targets, with support from academic/research bodies, government, and community experts.

We used an expert science committee to determine if the trends detected in the last review are continuing or have since changed, and if there are any emerging threats which need to be managed for the region.

What the 2016 review found

The 2016 review identified that three key regional drivers of change are continuing to impact the extent and condition of SEQ’s natural assets:

1. Land use change – Loss of bushland and wetlands due to land use change directly impacts native wildlife and scenic amenity and has a flow on effect on water and air quality and soil health. Over 54,000 hectares of bushland in the region were lost between 2001 and 2009 and in 2016, it was estimated a further 57,000 hectares were at risk.
2. Demographic change – The natural assets and liveability of SEQ are major draw cards for business investment and interstate and international migration. Population growth can result in more intensive land use, increased greenhouse gases and other air pollutants, poorer water quality and waterway health, and reduced resilience within natural ecosystems.
3. Climate change – Some implications of predictions of a hotter, drier region, with increased frequency of extreme events and continued sea level rise, are increased demands on water supplies, water quality challenges, reduced coastal resilience, and increased flood and wildfire frequency and intensity.

The review recognised the substantial collective regional action and good returns on investment being experienced, but also highlighted there is still a lot of work to do to maintain and enhance our natural assets.

Of the 41 targets defined in the SEQ NRM Plan, 10 headline targets were identified as priority areas for review. These were then assessed, with the review finding that most of the associated natural assets had either declined in condition or were likely to under current ‘business as usual’ planning scenarios.

To read more about the headline targets, click on the targets tab above.

The current review built on and updated the findings of the 2016 review. It also address new and emerging threats and opportunities. Importantly, it is was informed and co-owned by an engaged network of stakeholders.

We would like to thank everyone who gave feedback into the SEQ Natural Resource Management Plan  review.

Your ideas, suggestions and insights into what you think needs to happen in your local area or in the region to achieve the goals of the SEQ NRM Plan have been enormously valuable.

We will publish the plan as soon as it has been reviewed and approved by the Australian Government.

This project is supported by Healthy Land and Water, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program and the Queensland Government’s National Resource Investment Program (NRIP).

Want to find out how you can be involved?

Email us at info@hlw.org.au to find out how.

Click here to download
NRM Plan

Love South East Queensland? Thank you for having your say!

Thank you for helping to identify challenges and priority actions to protect and restore the region’s natural assets (e.g. air, water, soil, and native vegetation).

We want to maintain SEQ’s status as an icon for its natural wealth, beauty, liveability, and its people.

We were excited to hear from as many South East Queenslanders as possible to ensure we are acting on the most current information and responding to changing circumstances.