Memorandum of Understanding

In relation to the Co-operative Management of the Australian Alps national parks

Australian Alps Liaison Committee

This MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING is made between:

The Minister having responsibility for the administration of the Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Heritage;

The Minister having responsibility for administration of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of New South Wales;

The Minister having responsibility for the administration of Environment ACT; and

The Minister having responsibility for the administration of Parks Victoria;

WHEREAS

  1. 1. In June 1986 a Memorandum of Understanding was first entered into in relation to the Co-operative Management of the Australian Alps national parks.
  2. 2. The original Memorandum of Understanding was amended and re-signed on 2 December 1989, again on the 29 November 1996 and again on the 6 November 1998.
  3. 3. Pursuant to the objectives of that Memorandum the parties now wish to amend and upgrade the Memorandum to reflect changes in the operation of the Memorandum in the intervening years, and to set a new focus for the future.
  4. 4. The Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Heritage performs its functions to conserve biodiversity and heritage, in cooperation with the participating States and Territory.
  5. 5. The National Parks and Wildlife Service of New South Wales, Environment ACT, and Parks Victoria, are the agencies responsible for the care, control and management within their respective State or Territory of the areas described in Schedule 1. These areas are part of the same biogeographical unit and are in this Memorandum of Understanding collectively referred to as the Australian Alps national parks.

PREFACE

NOW THE PARTIES have reached an understanding in regard to the following matters:

  1. 1. The parties as from this date hereby further amend the Memorandum of Understanding dated 6 November 1998. The parties to the Memorandum agree that all matters being conducted under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding prior to this date will continue to be conducted pursuant to this Memorandum of Understanding.
  2. 2. The parties hereto acknowledge for themselves and on behalf of their Governments that:
    1. 2.1 The Australian Alps national parks comprise an area of major significance containing:
      1. Australia’s highest mainland peaks and most spectacular mountain scenery;
      2. flora and fauna, ecological processes and communities unique to Australian alpine and sub-alpine environments;
      3. a range of sites, places and landscapes valued by the community including those with a rich and diverse cultural heritage belonging to Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people;
      4. a significant outdoor recreation and tourism resource for Australians and international visitors; and
      5. the headwaters of major river systems flowing from the Australian Alps national parks, supplying snowmelt waters vital for the maintenance of ecological processes and communities, domestic use, industry, irrigation and hydro-electric production in NSW, Victoria, ACT and South Australia.
    2. 2.2 The significance of the Australian Alps has been recognised by the Commonwealth and aforesaid State and Territory Governments by the extensive reservation of national parks and creation of other protected areas within the region.
    3. 2.3 The coordinated management, protection and conservation of the Australian Alps national parks for all Australians, present and future, requires a joint commitment extending across State and Territory boundaries.
    4. 2.4 There exist Commonwealth and State/Territory responsibilities for the conservation of the natural and cultural values of the Australian Alps national parks.

VISION

    1. 2.5 The vision of the Australian Alps co-operative management program is of Agencies working in partnership to achieve excellence in conservation management of its natural and cultural values and sustainable use through an active program of cross border co-operation.

MISSION

  1. 3. The parties agree to the following objectives:
    1. 3.1 To pursue the growth and enhancement of inter-governmental co-operative management to protect the important natural and cultural values of the Australian Alps national parks.
    2. 3.2 To co-operate in the determination and implementation of best-practice management of the areas listed in Schedule 1 to achieve the:
      1. protection of the unique mountain landscapes;
      2. protection of the natural and cultural values of the Australian Alps;
      3. provision of an appropriate range of outdoor recreation and tourism opportunities that encourage the enjoyment, education, understanding and conservation of the natural and cultural values; and
      4. protection of mountain catchments.

TERMS OF AGREEMENT

  1. 4. The parties agree to request or direct the agencies to participate wherever possible and appropriate in the following working arrangements:
    1. 4.1 the Agencies will consult in the preparation of management plans for each area in Schedule 1 or in amendments to existing plans, and will aim to ensure that such management plans provide for complementary policies and management practices throughout the Australian Alps national parks;
    2. 4.2 the Agencies will consult on matters of policy formulation and management;
    3. 4.3 the Agencies will consult in the formulation of regulations for the management of the Australian Alps national parks and the enforcement of those regulations;
    4. 4.4 the Agencies will collaborate on matters of research including resource data collection and will undertake joint actions and management operations relevant to the co-ordinated management, conservation and protection of the values of the Australian Alps national parks;
    5. 4.5 the Agencies will exchange information, ideas and expertise relevant to the protection of the values of the Australian Alps national parks, and will co-operate in the training of staff to manage the Australian Alps national parks;
    6. 4.6 the Agencies will co-operate to establish and implement processes for consultation with Aboriginal communities and foster their participation in the management of the Australian Alps national parks;
    7. 4.7 the Agencies will co-operate to provide opportunities for community education, interpretation and awareness of the values of Australian Alps national parks;
    8. 4.8 the Agencies will co-operate to provide opportunities for public participation in the management of the Australian Alps national parks; and
    9. 4.9 each Agency will, within the areas for which it has management responsibility, strive to adopt complementary recreation management policies and where appropriate provide recreation facilities and services to enable visitors to effectively use adjacent areas comprising the Australian Alps national parks listed in Schedule 1;
    10. 4.10 the Agencies will co-operate in the monitoring of use and public awareness about the Australian Alps national parks; and
    11. 4.11 the Agencies will collectively strive to identify opportunities for the recognition of regional, national and international significant values of the Australian Alps national parks.

ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE

  1. 5. The parties agree to maintain a committee to be known as the Australian Alps Liaison Committee (AALC) in which each Agency will be represented by a senior officer. The function of this committee is to facilitate development, co-ordination, and implementation of co-operative management programs, including but not limited to the annual co-operative works program, and other arrangements under this Memorandum of Understanding.

WORKING ARRANGEMENTS

  1. 6. The task of the AALC will be to ensure:
    1. 6.1 that a Strategic Plan is submitted to the Australian Alps national parks heads of agencies group (Alps Heads of Agencies) for approval on a three-year cycle, and is accompanied by a review of the implementation of the previous Strategic Plan;
    2. 6.2 that an Australian Alps national parks co-operative works program is developed consistent with the Strategic Plan for each financial year;
    3. 6.3 that the primary focus of the annual co-operative works program is to foster innovation and best practice in the areas of policy and management planning, education, training, research and performance measurement;
    4. 6.4 that the annual co-operative works program is consistent with and incorporated into the management programs undertaken by the Agencies;
    5. 6.5 that a regular review of progress towards implementing the annual co-operative works program is undertaken during the financial year to which it relates;
    6. 6.6 that an annual report is submitted to the parties, through Alps Heads of Agencies at the end of each financial year; and
    7. 6.7 that opportunities for inter-agency liaison, in particular joint actions and management operations relevant to the co-ordinated management, conservation and protection of the values of the Australian Alps national parks are identified and supported where appropriate.
  1. 7. Any funds or in-kind support contributed by the Agencies as negotiated through the Alps Heads of Agencies will be managed for the annual co-operative works program under the Memorandum of Understanding.
  2. 8. The AALC may enter into cost-sharing arrangements with one or more State/Territory Agencies for projects within the annual co-operative works program.
  3. 9. Administrative support and program management tasks for the AALC will be undertaken by the State/Territory Agencies on a rotational basis as appropriate. The Commonwealth Agency will provide secretariat support to the AALC and may also undertake administrative support and program management tasks.
  4. 10. In managing projects under the annual co-operative works program, a nominated Agency may project manage a particular project.

THIRD PARTY OPPORTUNITIES

  1. 11. The AALC will investigate, foster and engage with national and international managers, of other alpine and sub-alpine parks or relevant government and non-government bodies, to learn about or participate in specific co-operative programs where management benefits are to be expected.

SCHEDULE 1

  1. 12. The parties may agree to the inclusion within Schedule 1 of any national park, nature reserve, wilderness area or other compatible conservation reserve which complements or contributes to the Australian Alps national parks as outlined in clause 2.1.

NATURE OF AGREEMENT

  1. 13. This Memorandum of Understanding shall enter into effect on and from the day and year written below and may be amended or terminated at any time by mutual agreement of the parties.
  2. 14. The parties acknowledge that this Memorandum of Understanding does not give rise to legal obligations.

DEFINITIONS

In this agreement:

“Parties” means the Minister having responsibility for the administration of the Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Heritage, the Minister having responsibility for administration of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of New South Wales, the Minister having responsibility for the administration of Environment ACT; and the Minister having responsibility for the administration of Parks Victoria;

“Agencies” means the National Parks and Wildlife Service of New South Wales, Environment ACT, Parks Victoria, and the Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Heritage.

This Memorandum of Understanding has been signed by each Party on the date indicated below.

SIGNED by

The Hon Dr David Kemp, MP
Minister for the Environment and Heritage of the Commonwealth of Australia,
Date

SIGNED by
The Hon Robert John Debus, MP
Minister for the Environment for the State of New South Wales,
Date

SIGNED by
Mr Jon Stanhope, MLA
Minister for the Environment for the Australian Capital Territory,
Date

SIGNED by
The Hon John Thwaites, MP
Minister for the Environment for the State of Victoria,
Date

Schedule 1

AREAS COMPRISING THE AUSTRALIAN ALPS NATIONAL PARKS

Victoria
Agency responsible for management: Parks Victoria

Alpine National Park
Snowy River National Park
Avon Wilderness
Mt Buffalo National Park (added 6/11/98)
Baw Baw National Park (added 10/4/03)

New South Wales
Agency responsible for management: NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service

Kosciuszko National Park
Brindabella National Park (added 21/6/96)
Scabby Range Nature Reserve
Bimberi Nature Reserve

Australian Capital Territory
Agency responsible for management: Environment ACT

Namadgi National Park
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve (added 10/4/03)