Strategic Plan 2021-26: Terrain NRM

NEW STRATEGIC PLAN LAUNCHED

TERRAIN’S STRATEGIC DIRECTION 2021-26

26 NOVEMBER 2021

Terrain NRM is encouraging businesses, industry and communities to look at new ways to unlock future prosperity through sustainable and inclusive economic approaches while also improving the region’s landscapes from reef to rainforest.

Board Chair Dr Keith Noble recently launched Terrain’s new five-year strategic plan, identifying six focus areas – soil health, waterway health, biodiversity, climate, regenerative economy and organisational excellence.

Dr Noble said the region is at a pivotal moment in time in terms of the COVID pandemic, climate change and biodiversity loss.

“Worldwide disruption caused by COVID has created fertile ground for change and has shown us how quickly society can adapt to new circumstances,” he said.

“While we are facing immense environmental challenges, there are also exciting opportunities for Australia and for the Wet Tropics, as communities recognise the need to maintain the world that sustains us all.”

Terrain NRM CEO Stewart Christie said one opportunity was championing the growth of regenerative economies in the region.

“This type of economic model looks to regenerate rather than deplete the environment, community and culture,’’ Mr Christie said. “It is focused on simultaneously caring for the environment and creating quality jobs and businesses.

“The environmental challenges we are facing are the result of linear, extractive economic models – where we use something once and throw it away. The transition to a sustainable model delivers regional prosperity while benefitting from being in balance with nature.

“This is a return to the way people have used resources for most of human history.”

Mr Christie said there was a growing appetite for the Wet Tropics to become a ‘smart green region’.

“Several organisations are working together to transition to a low emissions economy,’’ he said. “It’s an exciting time and our region has great potential to benefit from the shift to a more sustainable future.”