DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT, THE ARTS AND SPORT Performance Reporting Performance Reporting Protected Areas and Conservation Parks Joint Management Programs

Output Group: Protected Areas and Output: Parks Joint Management Programs Conservation This Output establishes an equitable joint management partnership Protected areas in the Territory are made up of many land holding and with local Traditional Owners to manage, maintain and protect the management agreements. National Parks and Reserves declared under biodiversity of a Park or Reserve. the Territory Parks and Wildlife Act, serve a conservation and public enjoyment outcome. Indigenous Protected Areas are Indigenous-owned Performance Measures: Parks Joint Management Programs land or sea where Traditional Owners have entered into agreements Key Deliverables 08–09 09–10 10–11 10–11 11–12 with government to promote biodiversity and conservation. Private Actual Actual Estimate Actual Budget landholders who have signed agreements or covenants for their land Operational Joint 7 7 9 82 253 1 also contribute to the make-up of protected areas in the Territory. Management Plans 5 Outcomes of this Output Group are protection of the natural and cultural Active joint management 5 8 12 10 15 committees4 assets in the Territory’s Parks estate. It also includes the creation of educational and recreational opportunities based on these assets, with Explanatory Notes to the Table increased community involvement in protected areas management and 1. Joint Management Plans are statutory documents prepared under wildlife conservation across the Territory. the Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act. They set out the This Output Group is attributed $51.20 million of the Department’s directions of management and governance for the Park under joint $172.91 million budget. management arrangements with Traditional Owners, ensuring the There are three Outputs within this Output Group: effective management of parks’ key values. There are a total of 32 jointly managed Parks, with 27 scheduled under the Parks and • Parks Joint Management Programs; Reserves (Framework for Future) Act. • Parks Visitor Management Programs; and 2. The Joint Management Plan for Chamber’s Pillar Historical Reserve • Conservation Management Programs. became operational during the year. Watarrka National Park’s title transfer and passage of Joint Management Plan was anticipated to be completed in 2010–11, but was not finalised. 3. The increase in Joint Management Plans for 2011–12 reflects there are 16 plans in advanced stages of completion as at 30 June 2011, which are anticipated to be tabled in the Legislative Assembly in 2011–12.

Northern Territory Government Department of Natural Resources, Environment, The Arts and Sport Annual Report 2010–11 102 Performance Reporting Protected Areas and Conservation Parks Joint Management Programs

4. Active Joint Management Committees apply to the 27 Parks subject Key Achievements in 2010–11: Parks Joint Management to the Parks and Reserves (Framework for Future) Act. They are Programs established consistent with the Joint Management Plan for each Park 1. Transferred the title for Finke Gorge National Park, south-west of or Reserve and include representatives from Traditional Owners Alice Springs, to Traditional Owners in June 2011 and executed a and the Territory Government. Joint Management Committees direct lease back to the Territory Government for 99 years for its use as a management of Parks consistent with the Joint Management Plan. jointly managed park. These are not statutory boards or committees. 2. Secured new funding of $2.1M from the Territory Government to 5. There are 10 active joint management Committees covering the expand the Parks and Wildlife Service’s Indigenous Employment following 16 Parks and Reserves: Program. Funds will be invested to improve recruitment, retention 1. Daminmin Joint Management Committee for t