The National Reserve System Programme 2006 Evaluation by Brian Gilligan The National Reserve System Programme 2006 Evaluation by Brian Gilligan Photo credits Top: Anindilyakwa IPA, NT – Steve Strike. MIddle: Gouldian Finch, Mornington Nature Reserve, WA Australian Wildlife Conservancy – Ecopix . Bottom: Waterlily at Mornington Nature Reserve – Ecopix. Next Economic analyses by page: Desert patterns of mulga, gidgee, spinifex Syneca Consulting Pty Ltd and dunes at Cravens Peak Nature Reserve QLD, Australian Bush Heritage Fund – Nick Rains. November 2006 ii Table of Contents Abbreviations .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................v Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 1 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................11 2. Background .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................15 2.1 Australia’s Biodiversity ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................16 2.2 The NRS Programme .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................16 2.3 Objectives and key funding areas.................................................................................................................................................................................................16 2.4 NRS Programme Outcomes .................................................................................................................................................................................................................17 2.5 Previous Reviews ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................18 2.6 Directions Statement ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................18 3 The 2006 Evaluation ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................21 3.1 Evaluation Purpose ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................22 3.2 Scope ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................22 3.3. Evaluation Process ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................22 3.3.1. Desktop Study ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................22 3.3.2 Consultation .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................22 3.3.3 Meetings .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................23 3.3.4 Issues Analysis...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................23 3.4 Economics Perspective ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................23 3.5 Report preparation ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................23 4. Results .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................25 4.1 Appropriateness of the Programme as a mechanism for achieving Australian Government policies and priorities. ............................................................................................................................................................26 4.1.1 Policy Alignment and Consistency .........................................................................................................................................................................26 4.1.2 Biodiversity Conservation ..................................................................................................................................................................................................27 4.1.3 Economic, Social and Cultural Benefi ts .............................................................................................................................................................46 4.1.4 Additional or Alternative Strategies .......................................................................................................................................................................47 4.2 Programme Eff ectiveness........................................................................................................................................................................................................................48 4.2.1 Meeting Objectives ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................48 4.2.2 Performance .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................48 4.2.3 Linkages ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................49 4.3 Effi ciency of the Programme ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................52 4.3.1 Effi ciency concept .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................52 4.3.2 Effi ciency implications of protecting ecosystems ...............................................................................................................................52 4.3.3 Effi ciency in decision making ........................................................................................................................................................................................53 4.3.4 Effi ciency in raising level of conservation ......................................................................................................................................................55 4.3.5 Effi ciency in administration .............................................................................................................................................................................................59 iii 5. Summary of Major Issues and Findings.