Project 2.2
Development of an Ecosystems Services Strategy for Australia

Developing a draft strategy outline

Given the importance of ecosystem services in driving sustainable natural resource use in Australia, we need to make rapid progress in agreeing on a national way forward. Subject to the availability of funding, Australia 21 therefore proposes to deliver initial proposals for a strategy for Federal/State consideration by November 2007, using the following timetable and approach:

Early 2007: preparation of an issues paper, identifying of the current state of play and key blockages to progress in high priority areas.

August 2007: ecosystem services roundtable comprising representatives from government departments, research agencies and farming and land management interests, to agree on key issues and actions needing to be addressed to deliver early action/success.

Late 2007: preparation of an initial draft strategy in consultation with key stakeholders (including series of face to face meetings with key stakeholders to scope issues and amend the draft).

Early 2008– second roundtable to discuss/agree an initial draft strategy.

amendment and syndication of initial strategy with stakeholders; preparation of cover paper for Federal/State senior officials.

consideration by senior officials; necessary amendments to strategy; draft cover paper for the Australian Ministerial Councils on Natural Resource Management and Primary Industries.

Ministerial consideration of initial strategy.