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Catchment Action NSW funding review

Summary of a review of funding for natural resource management in NSW, outlining findings and advice to improve how funds are allocated and managed.

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Summary

Catchment Action NSW is the NSW Government’s regionally-delivered project funding to address state natural resource management priorities. Since 2008, these funds have been allocated using our six-stage decision-making process that uses multi-criteria analysis as a decision support tool. The process is transparent, repeatable, adaptable, and aims to maximise likely return on investment.

Catchment Action NSW funding allocation to LLS in 2015-16 and 2016-17

Following the establishment of Local Land Services in 2014, the Local Land Services Board of Chairs asked the Natural Resources Commission to review funding allocation best practice and identify options for future allocation of funds within Local Land Services.

Based on the then Office of Environment and Heritage's investment priorities and Local Land Services' investment principles, we developed a high level allocation framework for the Catchment Action NSW funding. The framework consisted of two components:

Fixed strategic investment (80 percent) - allocation fixed over multiple years to provide base level funding continuity
Flexible strategic investment (20 percent) - allocation revised annually or biennially to reflect changing investor priorities and drive improved performance.

We provided a final report in November 2014. We recommended that through the fixed strategic investment stream, the majority of total funding be allocated using a multi-criteria analysis assessment framework. This funding stream should be fixed for at least the duration of Funding Agreement (until June 2017) if the priorities within the subsequent Funding Agreements remain unchanged.

In contrast, a smaller proportion of funding should be allocated more frequently via a flexible strategic investment stream. We recommend that this assessment stream be revised annually or biennially to address new investor priorities that may emerge. Improved Local Land Services performance will result in more cost-effective investment and better outcomes against the Funding Themes.

Report (PDF 3.73MB) (November 2014)

Catchment Action NSW funding allocation to LLS in 2014-15 and 2015-16

Through a ministerial request, the Minister for Primary Industries asked us to recommend a funding profile for allocating Catchment Action NSW funds between Local Land Services in 2014-15 and 2015-16.

In September 2013, we provided a final report recommending a funding profile. This profile was generated by inputting scores for the priorities and performance assessments into the multi-criteria analysis model that reflects the criteria and weightings within the assessment frameworks. We also noted that a key risk within the funding allocation process is funding continuity from year to year. Changes to regional project funding may undermine project outcomes and community engagement.

Report (PDF 739.96KB) (September 2013)

Catchment Action NSW funding allocation to CMAs in 2013-14

Through a ministerial request, the Minister for Primary Industries asked us to recommend a potential funding profile for allocating Catchment Action NSW funding to CMAs for 2013-14, including the risks the Government should consider in making the final funding allocation decision.

In May 2013, we provided a final report and recommended a funding profile with associated risks.

Report (PDF 1.13MB) (May 2013)

Catchment Action NSW funding allocation to CMAs in 2011-12 and 2012-13

Through a Terms of Reference, the NSW Government asked us to recommend improvements to the six-stage decision making process, and recommend how the pool of Catchment Action NSW funding can be allocated between CMAs for 2011–12 and 2012–13.

In October 2010, we provided a final report and recommended a funding profile with associated risks. We also proposed changes to the multi-criteria decision making tool related to weightings, data sources and assessments.

Report (PDF 1.17MB) (October 2010)

Investment funding allocation to CMAs in 2008-09

Through a Terms of Reference, the NSW Government asked us to provide advice on how available NSW investment funding should be allocated between CMAs in 2008-09.

We applied the funding allocation process, developed in its earlier report, and identified two approaches for allocating new funding. The Government could either offset the Australian Government’s funding allocation decision with a view to provide better overall balance of funding (Option 1), or make its decision independently of the Australian Government (Option 2).

In March 2009, we provided a final report and recommended that the NSW Government allocate funding to CMAs for 2008-09 to offset other sources of funding and so provide a better overall balance of funds (Option 1). However, the Government chose to adopt an independent approach to allocate new funding (Option 2).

Report (PDF 394.82KB) (March 2009)

Allocating NRM funding between CMAs

The NSW and Australian Governments negotiated joint funding for Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs) from 2008-09 to 2012-13 as part of the regional component of the Natural Heritage Trust 3 program.

Through a Terms of Reference, the Premier asked us to provide advice on how the joint funding can be allocated to CMAs.

In April 2008, we provided a final report and recommended a funding process for determining allocations to CMAs based on cross-regional investment priorities and CMA's effectiveness. We used the six-stage decision making process.