Governance arrangements
Ministerial council | Task group | Environment protection and heritage council
As part of the national conservation partnership, all governments are working together to develop the National Reserve System within a strong scientific framework.
The Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council
This Ministerial Council is the peak governing body for the National Reserve System. It is made up of the environment and agriculture ministers of the Australian, state and territory governments.
In 2009, the National Reserve System Task Group convened under the Natural Resource Policies and Program Committee prepared an updated policy framework National Reserve System Strategy 2009-2030. The Strategy is an important step towards long-term protection of Australia's biodiversity and will fully guide the work on the National Reserve System in the years ahead.
Download the Strategy for Australia's National Reserve System 2009-2030
National Reserve System Task Group
The key policy advisory group is the National Reserve System Task Group, made up of experts from a range of fields and representatives from the conservations agencies of all jurisdictions.
The Task Group directs the national effort to build Australia's network of protected areas by strategically targeting new acquisitions to fill gaps in the network and connect reserves together.
The Task Group also provides guidance to the Australian Government's National Reserve System element of Caring for our Country.
The Task Group's current objectives are the implementation of the priority actions and targets agreed in the National Reserve System Strategy 2009-2030. Key actions relate to:
- clear identification and adequate protection of the biodiversity assets of each bioregion through collaborative and integrated management with other landowners and managers using a whole of landscape approach to address conservation priorities
- rigorous science and robust monitoring
- effective and adaptive management regimes
- consistent approaches informed by the development of national frameworks for management effectiveness and protected areas on private lands
- strong partnerships between governments, private landholders and Traditional Owners, industry, local communities and non-government organisations
- routine reporting to a well-informed and supportive Australian community.
The National Reserve System Task Group reports through the Natural Resource Policies and Programs Committee to the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council.
The Environment Protection and Heritage Council
This Ministerial Council considers issues related to tourism, Indigenous and private engagement and climate change (carbon sequestration) in protected areas. It is advised by a Protected areas Policy Working Group.
National Reserve System video
