The Natural Resource Management Council was established under the Natural Resource Management Act 2002 ('The Act'). This legislation implemented the Natural Resource Management Framework that was launched in February 2002, following a year of development that included two full rounds of public consultation.

The Council is a core element of the NRM Framework.  It is a purely advisory body that provides high level advice to the Government, through the Minister for Primary Industries and Water.

The Council is the subject of Part 2 of the Act. It consists of not more than 16 persons. Four are specified: the Secretary of the Department of Primary Industries, and Water plus one member nominated by each of the three Regional Committees (Cradle Coast, North and South). The remainder are to be ‘persons with experience, skills and knowledge in natural resource management selected from nominations as the Minister may determine’.

The Council is directed to provide ‘a balance of natural resource management interests in the State’ and as far as practicable to comprise equal numbers of men and women. One member is appointed by the Minister as Chair. Kim Evans, Secretary of the Department of Primary Industries and Water, is the inaugural Chair.

For further information refer to the Annual Reports.