Across the region, diverse current activities are already implementing aspects of this plan.  The region’s first NRM plan – Country to Coast – was supported by a combined Australian / Queensland Government funding allocation for implementation; no such allocation accompanies this plan.  Despite that, the Australian Government has highlighted the need to align future NRM activities it funds, such as National Landcare Programme initiatives, to regional NRM plans.  Similarly, successful Australian Government Emissions Reduction Fund projects are also required to indicate their “consistency” with any regional natural resource management plans applying over the subject sites.  This demonstrates that the plan’s applicability is already embedded, through such requirements.  Its greatest potential, however, is for the effective targeting of regional priorities and actions, and the provision of a pragmatic framework for reporting on regional NRM activities and their effectiveness.  From a regional perspective, it is far more efficient to co-ordinate effort and collaboratively review progress towards achieving regional targets than it is to maintain a piecemeal approach that sees a disparate group of the region’s NRM operatives, individually delivering and reporting on their NRM activities, in isolation.  A straightforward implementation framework supports this plan. It incorporates:

1. a spreadsheet to capture funded activities aligned to the plan’s targets and recommended activities
2. an overview report that identifies targets and recommended activities well-supported, compared to those that are not funded.  For each asset, emerging priorities are also identified.

The first iteration of this report reflects BMRG-centric input.  Engaging other program / project deliverers across the region is vital to the success of this approach.  In 2016 BMRG will pursue this initiative, to ensure that the second and subsequent iterations of the report better reflect the diversity of work being conducted by all of the region’s NRM partners.

In general, the NRM plan should be reviewed every five years, or as changing circumstances dictate.  It is likely that earlier review will be required, in response to future changed NRM directions to emerge from either or both, Australian and Queensland Governments.  The plan’s current structure lends itself to ready review and revision.

Similarly, the implementation framework represents a pragmatic way of reporting current activities, identifying “gaps” – activities that are not receiving current investment – and highlighting priorities to target in lobbying for funding.  The spreadsheet and overview Program of Activities will be annually updated, by a broader suite of the region’s NRM professionals.