Abstract 1: Risky resilience: putting climate change and biosecurity centre stage
In response to the escalating impacts of climate change and successive natural disasters, North Coast Local Land Services undertook a social research project to understand how to support staff, landholders, and industries in building resilience. Partnering with NSW Department of Customer Service and funded by the NEMA Disaster Risk Reduction Fund, the project surveyed and interviewed rural landholders to explore their experiences, preparedness, and barriers to resilience. Findings revealed that resilient landholders actively seek advice, maintain social connections, and invest in on-farm infrastructure. With Board endorsement, North Coast LLS embedded climate risk, biosecurity and the findings from this social research project into its strategic and operational planning. All programs must align with this focus, including a key partnership with the NSW Reconstruction Authority Business Beyond Disasters program, an initiative that equips agribusinesses with practical tools to plan, adapt, and thrive in the face of ongoing climate and biosecurity challenges.
Speaker: Louise Orr
Abstract 2: Strengthening Leadership in Queensland’s NRM Sector; at all places, at all levels & at all times.
Solving complex, landscape challenges in NRM working with varied stakeholders and across teams requires strong leadership, by design, not by chance. In 2022, the 11 Queensland regional NRM organisations launched a CEO-led initiative to co-create a shared Leadership Framework. This collaborative effort set out to strengthen leadership capacity across the sector by defining common capabilities and fostering leadership at all levels, in all places, and at all times. The framework is being embedded through statewide mentoring, monthly Lunch and Lead webinars, and revitalised Communities of Practice. This session shares the origins, key elements, and impact of the initiative, as well as some of the key tools. If you’re wondering how to grow leaders without relying only on formal roles, this story offers hope—and a practical path forward.
Speaker: Chris Norman, Ali McNiven, Stephen Berkeley & Thijs Krugers
Abstract 3: NRM Organisations – Performance Evolution + Excellence = The Magic Sauce
Regional NRM organisations have operated and evolved over 25 years. Through continuous improvement and a commitment by Boards and senior management many now operate efficiently and with exceptional levels of professionalism, have nurtured NRM talent, adopted and leveraged high-end business systems and applied contemporary governance to the work done.
As a result, organisational and operational risk is low, and delivery success is high.
This presentation examines this journey and highlights the role of Organisational Performance Excellence and similar approaches to drive improvement. The role of information sharing, a collaborative culture and system convergence is also discussed in the context of creating a lean and efficient delivery mechanism for government and the community. It is hoped that the presentation serves as a catalyst to reexamine performance excellence in the industry with a view to improving knowledge exchange and further enhance the industries capabilities and reinforce the confidence and trust of investors.
Speaker: Martin Fuller, Zoe Williams & Chris Norman
Abstract 4: Long Term Trends in Regional Social Resilience: A Case Study from the Northern Gulf
Conducted by James Cook University and Gulf Savannah NRM staff and funded through the Future Drought Funds Community Impact Program, the Northern Gulf Community Resilience Profile identified a slow decline in the social resilience of the region since the first assessment was conducted in 2010.
The presentation will discuss the methodology and findings of the research, as well as the role of Gulf Savannah NRM in supporting social resilience as a means to achieving positive NRM outcomes.
Speaker: Zoe Williams & Professor Allan Dale
