Goodbye 2024, and Hello 2025!
It’s been a big year, full of challenges, but the NRM South team has shown incredible resilience and achieved so much. This year, we focused on setting strong foundations with an impactful suite of new projects, and repositioning for the next four years. We continue to lead with purpose, drive collaboration, and make meaningful contributions to natural resource management in Tasmania.
We’re very proud of the recognition NRM South has received both across the state and nationally. NRM South’s success in securing the Regional Delivery Partnerships (RDP) program for southern Tasmania is thanks to our team’s expertise, strength, and dedication. Along with a second consecutive state election funding commitment, these successes highlight the important role we play in delivering policy agendas on the ground, and securing long-term investment for Tasmania’s natural resources. Thanks to these efforts, we’ve secured over $19M in new investment for NRM priorities, with another $7M in project concepts in the pipeline, ensuring that we are well-positioned for continued success and impact in the years ahead.
Navigating complex transitions, including lengthy negotiations and funding shifts, hasn’t been easy. But by purposefully building a supportive and resilient workplace culture, we’ve managed to retain the majority of our dedicated staff. This continuity has allowed us to deliver exceptional outcomes, and I extend my gratitude and thanks to our team for their impressive commitment to NRM South and Tasmania. I am also grateful for the trust extended and strengthening of NRM South’s relationship with the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre. Through cooperative planning and project delivery, we are working to improve land and sea management, access to Country, and outcomes for threatened species, while creating career pathways for Aboriginal Tasmanians in NRM and Healthy Country programs. We are committed to ensuring the priorities of the Tasmanian Aboriginal community remain central to our work, embedding cultural competency across our organisation to deepen our understanding and respect for Aboriginal culture.
Behind the scenes, we’ve overhauled our finance and project management systems, to improve efficiency and effectiveness. We’ve also taken significant steps to improve and develop NRM South’s Investment Strategy, putting us in a stronger position to make strategic investments, diversify funding streams, and ensure long-term financial health and impact. NRM South’s advocacy efforts this year have been instrumental in shaping the future of NRM in Tasmania and beyond. Our work at state and federal levels has promoted NRM principles and priorities, improved the translation of contractual requirements, and ensured our voice is heard on key issues critical to the community, the environment, Tasmania, and sectors dependent on natural assets.
The three regional NRM Strategies remain key to addressing emerging environmental challenges in Tasmania. These strategies align with local and national priorities, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and input from experts and stakeholders. They provide a scalable framework for prioritising effort and investment across regions, improving landscape resilience, enhancing waterway health, and protecting threatened species. These strategies also drive sustainable land use and production, offering a nature-based approach to critical issues like habitat and biodiversity loss. Looking ahead, we will continue to increase our regional visibility and presence by organising and participating in key forums and events, and addressing gaps in NRM representation in areas like economic development, tourism, and climate. Strengthening these connections will ensure that NRM South remains an influential voice in regional conversations that shape the future of Tasmania’s landscapes, communities, and economies.
Thank you to our staff, partners, stakeholders, and the community for your continued support of NRM South’s work and vision. Happy festive season, and best wishes for summer and the year ahead!
Nepelle Crane
CEO – NRM South