South Australian Consolidated Acts South Australian Consolidated Acts (1) A
regional NRM board consists of up to 9 members appointed by the Governor on
the nomination of the Minister, being persons who collectively have, in the
opinion of the Minister, after taking into account any recommendation of the
NRM Council, knowledge, skills and experience necessary to enable the board to
carry out its functions effectively.
(2) Before nominating
a person or persons under subsection (1), the Minister—
(a) must
place a notice in a newspaper circulating generally throughout the region
inviting expressions of interest for appointment to the relevant board within
a period specified in the notice, and then take into account any
recommendation of the NRM Council after the NRM Council has been given an
opportunity to consider any expressions of interest received within the
relevant time; and
(b) must
give to—
(i)
each peak body; and
(ii)
such other bodies representing the interests of persons
involved in natural resources management, or Aboriginal people, as the
Minister considers to be appropriate in the circumstances,
notice of the fact that an appointment or appointments are to be made and give
consideration to any submission made by any such body within a period (of at
least 21 days) specified by the Minister.
(3) The Chief
Executive of the Department must ensure that a copy of a notice under
paragraph (a) of subsection (2) is published on the Department's
website within 2 business days after being published under that paragraph.
(4) For the purposes
of subsection (1), the Minister must (as far as is reasonably practicable
in the circumstances)—
(a) give
consideration to nominating persons so as to provide a range of knowledge,
skills and experience across the following areas:
(i)
community affairs at the regional level;
(ii)
primary production or pastoral land management;
(iii)
soil conservation and land management;
(iv)
conservation and biodiversity management;
(v)
water resources management;
(vi)
business administration;
(vii)
local government or local government administration;
(viii)
urban or regional planning;
(ix)
Aboriginal interest in the land and water, and Aboriginal
heritage;
(x)
pest animal and plant control;
(xi)
natural and social science;
(xii)
if relevant—coast, estuarine and marine management,
fisheries or aquaculture; and
(b)
nominate persons who are able to demonstrate an interest in ensuring the
sustainable use and conservation of natural resources and an awareness of
natural resource issues across the relevant region; and
(c)
ensure—
(i)
that a majority of the members of the board reside within
the relevant region; and
(ii)
that a majority of the members of the board are engaged
in an activity related to the management of land.
(5) In addition, the
Minister must, before finalising his or her nominations for the purposes of
this section, consult with the designated Ministers.
(6) At least 1 member
of a regional NRM board must be a woman and at least 1 member must be a man.
(7) At least 1 member
of a regional NRM board must be a member or officer of a council at the time
of his or her appointment, unless—
(a) the
board's region does not include any part of the area of a council; or
(b) the
Minister cannot, after taking reasonable steps, find a member or officer of a
council who—
(i)
in the opinion of the Minister, is suitable to be
appointed as a member of the board; and
(ii)
is willing and available to be a member of the board.
(8) The Governor must
appoint a suitable member of a regional NRM board to be the presiding member
of the board.
(9) The Governor may
appoint a suitable person to be the deputy of a member of a
regional NRM board.
(10) A deputy may act
as a member of a regional NRM board during any period of absence of the member
in relation to whom the deputy has been appointed.
(11) The Minister may,
by instrument in writing, authorise a person or persons to attend any meeting
of a regional NRM board in order to represent the interests of the
Commonwealth, the State or local government.
(12) A person who
holds an authorisation under subsection (11) is entitled—
(a) to
receive notice of any meeting of the board; and
(b) to
have access to papers provided to members of the board for the purposes of any
meetings; and
(c) to
attend, and participate in, any meeting of the board (but has no entitlement
to vote).