5.3.1 Natural Asset Management

5.3.1.1 Local Government acknowledges the need to incorporate natural asset management (NAM) issues and priorities identified at a national, state, regional and local scale into its community, corporate, strategic, operational and land use plans. 

5.3.1.2 Local Government contributes significant resources to the implementation of Australian and State Government natural asset management legislation, programs and policies, and should be recognised as a key contributor in the development of such legislation, programs and policies, including the development of grants programs.

5.3.2 World Heritage and Wild Rivers

5.3.2.1 Local Government supports genuine consultation with Commonwealth and State Governments on the listing of World Heritage Areas and declaration of Wild Rivers and their future management.

5.3.3 National Park and Crown Land Management

5.3.3.1 Local Government supports the establishment of a state-wide network of National Parks which is a comprehensive, adequate and representative system of terrestrial and marine protected areas.

5.3.3.2 Local Government supports genuine and comprehensive consultation with the State Government on matters that directly affect Local Governments by any proposal considering the gazettal of an area as National Park or the removal of an area from a National Park.

5.3.3.3 Local Government supports adequate compensatory measures for any adverse financial impact that is experienced as a result of the establishment and operation of National Parks, World Heritage Areas and Crown Land within their Local Government areas. 

5.3.3.4 Local Government supports adequate State Government resourcing to at least match the national benchmarks of National Parks and Crown Land management authorities to ensure that appropriate land management practices are undertaken.

5.3.4 Coastal Management

5.3.4.1 Local Government is committed to engaging in the review and amendment of the Queensland Coastal Management Plan, Regional Coastal Management Plans and the declaration of Coastal Management Districts.

5.3.4.2 Local Government supports genuine and comprehensive consultation with the State Government on the preparation, review and amendment of the Queensland Coastal Management Plans, Regional Coastal Management Plans and the declaration of Coastal Management Districts.

5.3.4.3 Local Government seeks a full commitment by the State Government to the resourcing of the implementation of the Queensland Coastal Management Strategy and Regional Coastal Management Plans.

5.3.5 Biodiversity

5.3.5.1 Local Government seeks a full commitment by the State Government to the resourcing and implementation of the Queensland Biodiversity Strategy.

5.3.5.2 Local Government supports working cooperatively with Australian and State Governments to protect biodiversity values in the State.

5.3.6 Biosecurity

5.3.6.1 Local Government supports the ongoing Federal and Statement maintenance of the Weeds of National Significance (WoNS) program and its adequate resourcing to meet WoNS strategy outcomes.

5.3.6.2 Local Government supports working cooperatively with Australian and State Governments to control the impacts of declared and environmental invasive plans and animals in the State.

5.3.6.3 Local Government supports the aims and role of the Biosecurity Queensland Ministerial Advisory Council (BQMAC) to provide opinion, comment and advice direct to the relevant Minister on any issues relating to biosecurity.

5.3.6.4 Local Government seeks the support of the State Government to facilitate regional invasive species management planning on behalf of local governments.

5.3.6.5 Local Government supports a full commitment by the State Government to the resourcing of the implementation of the Queensland Biosecurity Strategy.

5.3.7 Regional Natural Asset Management (NAM)

5.3.7.1 Local Government acknowledges the need for integrated and coordinated regional approaches to natural asset management.

5.3.7.2 Local Government supports genuine and comprehensive consultation in the development, implementation and review of regional NAM plans and investment strategies.

5.3.7.3 Local Government is committed to using its resources including planning responsibilities and links with the community to achieve mutually agreed local and regional natural asset management outcomes.

5.3.7.4 Local Government does not support non elected groups overriding Local Government’s legitimate autonomy or decision-making role with respect to land management.

5.3.7.5 Local Government is committed to the alignment of regional and local NAM planning and management is necessary to ensure a coordinated approach to natural asset management.

5.3.7.6 Local Government supports the current system of regional NRM bodies with some specific improvements, including stronger links to other regional planning processes such as the Regional Planning Advisory Committee (RPAC) model included in the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 where it exists.

5.3.8 Resourcing

5.3.8.1 Local Government is a major investor in natural asset management and seeks as a minimum reciprocal investment by State and Australian Governments to enhance natural asset management outcomes.

5.3.8.2 Local Government supports State and Australian Government funding programs that enable it to effectively deliver its NAM responsibilities.

5.3.8.3 Local Government supports the ongoing allocation of resources to address variations in the capacity and resourcing of Local Government to address NAM issues.