Summary of Portfolios of Proposals for Changes to Laws and Policies

Aboriginal portfolio 

Provide for greater Aboriginal influence on regional planning and development through: recognition of customary law; and increased Aboriginal representation on planning and decision-making bodies.

Resolve conflicts between Aboriginal peoples and landholders through: changes in Native Title law; Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs); co-management of pastoral leases; and increased representation by local Aboriginal people with connections to land.

Resolve conflicts among Aboriginal peoples through: ILUAs; changes in Land Rights and Native Title law; and recognition of tribal areas.

Increase Aboriginal ownership or control of land and water through: lease purchases; co-management of more National Parks and reserves; and allocation of water rights.

Enhance Aboriginal access to land and water through: ILUAs; changes to access and liability law; access agreements; and recognition of traditional rights to hunt and fish.

Improve protection of Aboriginal cultural sites by: changes to the National Parks and Wildlife Act and the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act; and through Aboriginal heritage management agreements.

>>> See Aboriginal Portfolio Details or open a printable PDF version of Portfolio Details  (179 Kb) 

Agro-pastoral portfolio 

Promote diversification of land uses by: rebuilding extension services; adding aquaculture extension; easing restrictions where land is capable of more intensive uses; one-stop-shop development approval; establishment of production cooperatives; granting timber rights to leaseholders; and stewardship payments for conservation.

Increase investment at property level by: enhancing security of tenure; and freeholding of leases.

Help eliminate debt by property amalgamation and other measures.

Improve roads by: establishing a legal road network; and resolving trespass and liability issues.

Promote sustainable management of land by amending land law so it specifies lessees rights and responsibilities, management outcomes, voluntary nature conservation agreements, incentives, and periodic changes of lease conditions.

>>> See Agro-Pasoral Portfolio Details or open a printable PDF version of Portfolio Details  (214 Kb) 

Nature conservation portfolio 

Promote sustainable use of natural resources across the region through:

• legislation that sets strategic social, environmental and economic outcomes; establishes natural resource policies, plans and programs; integrates natural resource and catchment management policies; sets out rights and obligations of resource users, environmental controls and incentives; and establishes participatory planning processes;

• taxation, grant, user-pays, and incentive measures;

• linking restructuring policy to land suitability and conservation value;

• better representation of conservation interests on advisory committees;

• incentives and levies on uncapped bores; selective removal of water licenses;

• formal land condition and trend reports required when a lease is sold.

Establish a comprehensive, adequate and representative (CAR) reserve system by: formalising a policy under the law; acquiring public reserves and encouraging conservation on private land through taxes, rents and stewardship payments; linking the reserve system to the Conservation Trust; biodiversity accreditation linking consumers, retailers and producers ; developing a biodiversity credits scheme; enabling debt-for-conservation swaps; and establishing conservation on leases purchased by mining companies in return for water rights.

Clarify the priorities of National Park and Public Reserve management and ensure that conservation of native biodiversity is the first priority, conservation of heritage the second, and public enjoyment the third priority.

>>> See Nature conservation Portfolio Details or open a printable PDF version of Portfolio Details  (226 Kb) 

Minerals industry portfolio 

Improve community participation in planning by increasing inclusion of community representatives on permanent advisory committees.

Promote regional development by: favouring approvals for value-adding development projects; simplifying and improving the development approvals process; and providing tax incentives for new mines and for employment of local people.

Improve rehabilitation practices by considering the past record of the company in setting the level of the post-mining land rehabilitation bond .

Promote multiple and sequential land use through: establishing State Conservation Reserves that contribute to a CAR reserve system, but where exploration and mining are allowed; and through a development approval process that favours multiple and sequential use.

Promote efficient water use through: user charges ; implementing water trading; developing incentives for water exploration; and reviewing current water licenses.

>>> See Mining and Exploration Portfolio Details or open a printable PDF version of Portfolio Details  (185 Kb) 

Tourist industry portfolio 

Expand the tourism industry in the region while maintaining product quality  by: developing a tourist carrying capacity strategy and the means of implementation; supporting the establishment of a CAR reserve system; and accreditation of tourism operators.

In addition to these institutional changes the tourism representatives propose improvements to roads, communications, transport and accommodation; and development of eco-tourism and Aboriginal cultural tourism.

>>> See Tourism Portfolio Details or open a printable PDF version of Portfolio Details  (169 Kb)