A new Australian Government drought plan

SUBMISSION TO AUSTRALIAN
GOVERNMENT DROUGHT PLAN
FEEDBACK
NRM SOUTH LAND TEAM
September 2024
THANK YOU
Thank you for inviting us on sharing our view on the consultation draft of the Australian Government
Drought Plan (draft plan). Our feedback will help inform the new Drought Plan prior to release.

CONTEXT
NRM South is one of 54 natural resource management organisations in Australia and one of three in
Tasmania. Our role is to protect, sustainably manage and improve our natural resources for the community's shared environmental, social, and economic benefit.

We work to keep the natural and productive landscapes of south-eastern Tasmania healthy over the long term. We play a key role in building partnerships, securing and directing investment, connecting knowledge and expertise to action and increasing the capacity of others to engage in NRM activities.

RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation A
In response to Question 5, Recommendation 3 is not clearly responded too under Pillar 3. A range of cohorts have been acknowledged, such as families, communities, agricultural supply chains, and interdependence to other sectors, but fail to specifically acknowledge young people and women. We recommend that young people and women are clearly acknowledged in the Drought Plan.

Recommendation B
In response to Question 6, it is crucial for the Australian Government’s Drought Plan to recognise and acknowledge that there are extensively used, highly valuable tools available that were not directly developed by the government. For example, the ‘Farming Forecaster’ decision support tool for drought prone farmers utilises the Bureo of Meteorology weather data and CSIRO’s assistance with modelling to produce a forecast of pasture growing conditions over the next 3 months. With Victoria coming on board shortly, there will be a total of 208 Farming Forecaster sites over 4 states (TAS, NSW,
VIC, and WA), with more NSW sites planned. Non-government drought-decision tools, including
Farming Forecaster, add additional support to the current Australian Government support tool and build resilience and confidence for decision making amongst farmers, thus, should be recognised in the Drought Plan. We recommend that the Drought Plan recognises and acknowledges that there are other highly valuable tools available that are not directly developed by the government that assist producers in becoming drought resilient.

OUR COMMENTS
After NRM South’s review, Questions 1, 2, and 4 are clearly outlined in the new Australian
Government Drought Plan (draft plan).

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Question 3 Response:

After reviewing the report, NRM South noticed that there are limited options for implementing evidence-based decision-making, under Pillar 1. My Climate View is a relatively long-term (i.e. 25+ years from now) decision-making tool. The Bureau of Meteorology provides monthly drought statements and weekly rainfall updates, which do not provide actionable on-ground decision support. Additionally, the forecasted information may not be applicable to highly variable regions, such as certain areas of Tasmania. Please see our response to Question 6, highlighting the importance of acknowledging other non-government decision-making tools.

Well addressed:

o Enabled through the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program, the Regional Soil Coordinators and
Sustainable Agriculture Facilitators enable extension and facilitation.
o National Soil Action Plan 2023-2028
o Drought, Resilience, and Adoption, and Innovation Hubs are clearly outlined as a network
promoting innovation and adoption

Not Addressed:

o NRM Regions Australia are not specifically mentioned throughout the document (whereas
The Drought Innovation Hubs are mentioned). However, NRMs are mentioned on the ‘Future
Drought Fund’s communities initiatives’ (through the link provided). NRM South is generally
categorised into a not-for-profit organisation.
o Long-term sustainability and on-ground drought decision-making does not appear to be a
focus in the policy

We recognise the importance of investing in drought resilience as climate variability causes tangible risk for food security and the economic viability of the agricultural sector and appreciate the support of the Australian
Government described in the drought plan.
We welcome discussion surrounding our recommendations within the Australian Government
Drought Plan.

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