In 2021, NRM Regions Queensland commissioned Ernst & Young to conduct research around Queensland’s natural resource management sector and expertise held within the 12 regional NRM organisations across the state.
The research was one component of a large body of work undertaken top collect quantitate data around the impact of regional NRM in Queensland. As well as measuring the socio-economic impact of natural resource management, consultants also explored customers and stakeholders and their preferred methods of communication as well as the benefit cost ratio of certain environmental works.
The research focussed on skills contained within NRM organisations as well as outsourced showed that 100% of regional NRM groups boast community engagement skills with 20 – 30% of groups also outsourcing this skill set. Community engagement activities include facilitating community networks, developing partnerships and capacity building.
The outsourcing skills to local communities was found to be a significant benefit of the regional natural resource management model.
“NRM projects contribute significantly to economic activity in the regions, as well as through supply chain and consumption effects.” the researchers said.
Community engagement is not the only skill set outsourced in regional communities,. 47% of regional NRM organisations outsource biosecurity work, 40% outsource Cultural heritage and 26% outsource machinery and equipment operation.
Business management was another significant skillset found within regio
nal NRM organisations with 100% of groups having this skill and 28% outsourcing it. Business management activities include business development; project implementation, monitoring and evaluation; insurance and legal; market analysis; Human Resources; governance; strategic planning; budgeting and financial reporting.
Business management “acts as an enabler for many other skills required to understand, direct and inform NRM activities,” the researchers said.
The research also found that 70% of regional NRM staff have tertiary qualifications.
This research was funded by the Queensland Government to support NRM Regions Queensland to tell more compelling stories about natural resource management. You can read more about the other components of this research here.