Evaluation of the bilateral agreements for the regional component of the Natural Heritage Trust of Australia

An evaluation of bilateral agreements in the regional component of the Natural Heritage Trust (NHT), which reflect the particular needs and circumstances of a jurisdiction, indicated that stakeholders acknowledge that the bilateral agreements have delivered more strategic outcomes and fostered a long term focus in natural resource management (NRM) at both the project and landscape scales. Stakeholders also broadly support the continuation of the core components of the bilateral agreements. However, stakeholders did identify a range of issues that would enhance the delivery of NHT outcomes under bilateral agreements. Recommendations address mechanisms to streamline the administration and management of the bilateral agreements to maximise the efficiency and effectiveness of the regional component of NHT.