Tropical Savannas CRC Future Directions

Rationale Production, cultural & biodiversity goals all rely on a sustainable human population base; keeping people on country. This in turn depends on sustainable livelihoods.

Themes/Programs Natural Resource Management Economic Futures and Livelihoods Policy options Building knowledge in savanna communities

Theme 1 Natural Resource Management: Basics CRC is committed to research that supports sustainable economic growth of northern Australia Pressure on resources will intensify with increasing $ value of land & resources Planned maintenance of assets is vastly preferable to heroic rescue

Theme 1 Natural Resource Management Focus on adaptive management Evaluation of options, taking full set of values into account Focus on assets and aspirations –Management of intensive resource uses –Delivery of improved extensive landscape management

NRM Challenges Knowledge systems for north Australian development – optimising tradeoffs from intensification (Pastoral lands, Intensive agriculture, wildlife management) Property and regional scales Landscape design Tools for extensive landscape management Cost-benefit analysis of options

NRM Specifics Development of tools and options –Fire ACB, Curing, On property management –Property Intensification, infrastructure, pasture improvement –Landscape design & planning –Tools for monitoring condition (RS, Indicators) Cost benefit analysis of options

Theme 2 Livelihood Options Options & Strategies for commercial and/or customary economic activities to complement orthodox uses of savanna resources –Tourism –carbon offsets, –land and biodiversity stewardship and maintenance of ecosystem services, –sustainable use of wildlife, –bio-security Business development, governance, policy environment

Research Issues - Livelihoods Valuing resources, services & activities Governance & institutions – producing multiple benefits Packaging full range of benefits & costs (people on country) What works in enterprise development

Theme 3 Policy Options & Approaches Analysis of investment strategies for regional natural resource management Tools to improve regional NRM planning and engagement Strategies for maximising the benefit from the limited available investment (State/Territory, NHT, NAP) Maximise cross-portfolio outcomes

Theme 4 Building Capacity to cope with change Build on strong communications platform (GLM, Fire, T&D, Biodiversity projects) Mix of traditional and non- traditional education/knowledge building strategies

Prospective Partners Existing partners to continue ANU LWA Other CRC’s (DK, Bushfires) ILC Mining & energy AQIS/NAQS Large Pastoral Companies Conservation NGO’s Regional NRM Bodies

Partnership – what does it entail? Identify areas of mutual interest, common goals, overlap of strategic objectives Identify resources needed to advance these goals, what each party can bring to the table, opportunities for leverage 7 Year commitment, but with some flexibility

Engaging Partners – some key relationships Cattle industry, Corporate one on one consultations Oct- Nov Mining & energy MLA, LWA, ILC – Specific proposals (tied funding) SME’s & community organisations

Core Partners cont’d State & Territory Agencies – Theme workshops Research providers – Universities & CSIRO – Theme workshops Core partner meetings (mid November)

Basics of a Re-bid Must demonstrate economic return on investment Must have strong stakeholder support, end-user involvement and pathways to adoption Must leverage resources (in-kind & cash) Must have significant new elements; need to re-invent, but build on existing strengths

Timelines Assuming timelines as for previous rounds: Notification of Intent – 31 January 2006 First Stage Application, with partners signed off – 30 March 2006 Second Stage Application, including completed review, impact analysis – 1 July 2006