The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is seeking applications for membership to the Hunter–Paterson Environmental Water Advisory Group. The Environmental Water Advisory Group is convened by the Biodiversity, Conservation and Science Group of the department.
The Hunter–Paterson Environmental Water Advisory Group provides advice to the department on the use of water for the environment in the Hunter and Paterson regulated rivers for its water-dependant ecosystems.
An Environmental Water Advisory Group may include water managers, recreational fishers, water users, landholders, Aboriginal peoples, environmental scientists, a variety of community and stakeholder groups, and government and non-government partner agencies.
Suitable applicants will contribute their local knowledge and relevant experience as advice to guide the beneficial use of water for the environment.
Environmental Water Advisory Group members will actively participate in providing information, analysis and recommendations from their vantage point in the local community or as a representative of a stakeholder group, to assist environmental water managers with annual watering priorities.
Areas of learning and expertise we seek include:
- Aboriginal peoples (specifically from Wanaruah/Wonnarua and Awabakal people)
- riverine ecology and ecohydrology
- water management
- environmental science (undergraduate and postgraduate)
- related community interests (recreational fishers, water users etc.).
Hunter-Paterson Environmental Water Advisory Group membership appointments are for up to 5 years.
The Environmental Water Advisory Group meets 2 to 4 times per year and may also undertake occasional field trips during some meetings.
Environmental Water Advisory Group memberships are paid appointments. In line with the Terms of Reference (6.8), members are compensated for their time and group-related expenses, including travel, accommodation and meals. The daily sitting fee is $220 and private vehicle mileage is paid at the standard government rate.
The closing date for applications including a curriculum vitae is 20 November 2024.
The department is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity, Work Health and Safety, Cultural Diversity and Ethical Work Practices, and encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds. If you need to access information about the Hunter-Paterson Environmental Water Advisory Group a different way, please email: [email protected]
The Hunter-Paterson Environmental Water Advisory Group is a committee formed under Section 388 of the Water Management Act 2000 and referenced in the Water Sharing Plan for the Hunter Regulated River Water Source 2016 and Paterson Regulated River Water Source 2019. The Environmental Water Advisory Group's focus is the Hunter and Paterson regulated river sources. The Environmental Water Advisory Group's purpose is to provide advice to the Minister for the Environment, or their delegate, on the management of environmental water to maximise ecological benefits.
Purpose of the role
An Environmental Water Advisory Group member's purpose is to contribute their knowledge and experience relating to the group's overall objective of providing water for the environment. Members should participate actively by providing information, analysis and recommendations from their vantage point in the local community or stakeholder group, to assist environmental water managers make adaptive decisions. Membership is based on representation in an ex officio capacity (representing a government department or stakeholder group), or as a member of the community. This applies to all ordinary members of the group.
Key responsibilities
- Commitment to achieving the Environmental Water Advisory Group's objectives.
- Gather relevant information to inform inputs on behalf of a group or interest.
- Attend meetings to contribute to the consideration, discussion and deliberation of meeting topics.
- Contribute to the formulation of objectives, priorities, risks and strategies for environmental watering.
- Relay environmental watering information to interested people or organisations, including the stakeholders they represent.
- Contribute to the smooth operation of the committee by adhering to agreed procedures and code of conduct.
- Review documentation between meetings, when necessary.
- Communicate with the Chair and/or Executive Officer between meetings, when necessary.
- Ability and willingness to attend meetings 2 to 4 times per year, which may include regional travel (community member costs will be met). This should not preclude community members with responsibility as caregivers.
Key challenges
- Considering and respecting the views of others to maintain an inclusive, constructive and collaborative approach.
- Collating and considering information on a highly technical and complex topic.
- Articulating Environmental Water Advisory Group decisions to the part of the community a member represents and to the broader community.
- Developing and maintaining an awareness of social, institutional, political and ecological issues relevant to local wetlands, water quality and river flows.
Key relationships
Internal
Chairperson
- Chairs Environmental Water Advisory Group meetings
- Responsible for ensuring member participation and performance
Executive Officer
- Manages Environmental Water Advisory Group administrative business and logistics
- First point of communication
- Manages collection and dissemination of information
Environmental Water Advisory Group members and alternatives
- Participate on equal terms to consolidate, deliberate and develop advice
- Strive to reach consensus in advice
- Represent their stakeholders' interests and goals
- Act as a conduit for information between the community and Environmental Water Advisory Group
Environmental Water Advisory group observers
- Participate in meetings as a guest, but does not participate in decision-making
External
Entity or community the position represents
- Gather and consolidate views on matters related to the work of the Environmental Water Advisory Group for referral at meetings, or beforehand directly to the Executive Officer
- Act as a conduit for information to and from the Environmental Water Advisory Group, when necessary
Capabilities for the role
An Environmental Water Advisory Group member should be able to, or aspire to, develop skills and knowledge to:
- communicate effectively, including the ability to listen attentively to others, absorb alternative points of view and articulate a message
- analyse information and arguments, think critically and objectively about a complex problem
- exhibit goodwill and support an inclusive and collaborative approach
- employ appropriate people skills to ensure meetings and discussions are polite and constructive
- understand and manage conflicts of interest
- liaise broadly with their own constituency and represent them effectively
- work towards an objective as part of a team
- actively assist the Chairperson and Executive Officer with the challenging job of achieving complex decision-making by consensus
- understand the role of water for local and regional communities and their environments
- understanding of how regulated water is managed in New South Wales, particularly the Water Sharing Plan for the Hunter Regulated Rivers Water Source 2016 and Paterson Regulated River Water Source 2019
- understand the roles of agencies and community groups in the Environmental Water Advisory Group - where they fit, who they represent, and their perspectives.
Application form
Completed application forms accompanied by a curriculum vitae must be submitted by 5 pm 20 November 2024.
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