Natural resources management policy and plans

A number of different plans direct and inform decision making about natural resources management in South Australia. All of these plans are integrated and designed to work together towards the common goal of the sustainable and ongoing management of natural resources.

State Natural Resources Management Plan

The NRM Council has responsibility for preparing and maintaining the State Natural Resources Management Plan.
Our Place. Our Future. State Natural Resources Management Plan 2012-2017 (3.27mb pdf) sets a long term vision and goals, with priorities identified for the next five years.

The Plan contains policy for the overarching management of South Australia's natural resources. It provides a framework for all natural resources management initiatives, including regional NRM Plans and agency activities. This Plan also takes into account the objectives of South Australia's Strategic Plan.

Regional Natural Resources Management Plans

Each of the eight regional NRM Boards develop their own Regional NRM Plans to meet their diverse environmental needs. The Boards’ insight and knowledge of their local ecosystems ensures that the Plans are relevant and take into account important issues and threats.

These plans are approved by Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation and prepared in consultation with the community, councils, industry, DEWNR and other government agencies.

View the Region Natural Resources Management Plans for each region:

Water Allocation Plans

Regional NRM boards also use the Regional and State NRM Plans to guide the development of Water Allocation Plans (WAP). Designed to ensure the responsible allocation and management of water resources, each WAP is developed in consultation with the Department for Water, the Minister for Water and the community.

Note: Kangaroo Island NRM Region does not publish a separate WAP, their Water Resources Management policies are outlined in Volume 3 of their Regional NRM Plan.