Sustainable Resource Management Division
First Assistant Secretary
- Ian Thompson
Switchboard: +61 2 6272 3933
The division provides policy advice and manages programs aimed at ensuring that agricultural production is undertaken sustainably, within the capacity of the landscape. This includes encouraging landowners and managers to maintain and improve the natural resource base on which agricultural production relies—soil, vegetation, water and atmosphere.
Sustainable Agriculture
- Assistant Secretary
John Talbot
Landcare
- Assistant Secretary
Michelle Lauder
Australian Government Land and Coasts (AGLC) is a joint venture between two Australian Government departments—Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities.
AGLC provides program delivery, liaison with state and territory agencies and regional bodies, and administration of funding for the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country initiative.
Caring for our Country plays a vital role in protecting and improving Australia’s unique biodiversity, the viability of its rural and regional communities, and the future of its agricultural industries.
AGLC also provides policy advice and manages programs on a range of sustainable agriculture initiatives including landcare, environmental management systems, biodiversity and native vegetation, management of weeds and pest animals and market-based alternatives to regulation.
Visit the Caring for our Country website.
Fisheries
- Assistant Secretary
Gordon Neil
DAFF develops and implements policies and programs to ensure Australia’s fisheries are competitive, profitable and sustainable. It supports Australia’s domestic fisheries and aquaculture, through:
- research
- quarantine
- fish health and food safety programs
- market access and trade negotiations
- business development and management assistance
- policy development
- representing Australia in international fisheries forums.
The department develops and reviews policy to promote competitive, profitable and sustainable fisheries industry. It works closely with the Australian Fisheries Management Authority and sets the policy direction for
- Commonwealth fisheries management
- progressing the operations of Joint Authorities
- legislative reform and reviews
- negotiating jurisdictional boundaries and resource sharing arrangements
Sustainable Resource Management Objective
To advance the sustainable use of Australia’s natural resources – land, water, vegetation and fisheries – and security of access to them by providing high quality and timely policy advice and services, by delivering effective programs and by consulting and working with stakeholders.
Key Priorities
Sustainable use and management of natural resources underpins Australia’s agricultural food, fisheries and forestry industries. The long-term future of resource-reliant industries and the rural and regional communities that depend on them requires a sustainably managed resource base. Currently, Australia faces major sustainability challenges from land and water degradation.
DAFF is responsible for policies and programs to encourage the sustainable and productive management of Australia’s natural resources. The department works with community groups, industries, states and territory governments and other Australian Government departments to develop strategies for improved natural resource management.
DAFF contributes to policy and program development and implementation in the following key areas:
30 Jan 2013