CANRI Community Reference Group (CRG)
Terms of Reference

The CANRI Program is an initiative of the NSW Natural Resources Information Management Strategy (NRIMS) Steering Group to implement key elements of the Strategy.

The Community Access to Natural Resources Information (CANRI) program is a NSW whole-of-government initiative to establish an information sharing framework and to provide information products which support the needs of NSW communities in undertaking sustainable management of the state’s natural resources. The four year Program will be addressed, with respect to the six themes: coordination; quality and standards; data; systems; information products and services; and communications/ marketing.

CANRI is overseen by a Program Board with representatives from all major natural resources and environmental agencies. The Board is supported by the Program Implementation Group, focussing on detailed implementation issues, and a Community Reference Group which focuses on the needs of users.

Terms of Reference

For the remaining two years of the Program:

• Provide advice to the CANRI Program Board on community priorities for the direction of the CANRI program.
• Provide two way communication between CANRI (Board, PIG and participants), and the community, using existing mechanisms where possible.
• Within the project planning process, provide feedback on user requirements, comments on individual proposals, and the overall program and identify gaps.
• Assist with marketing and promoting CANRI framework and products within the community and interested bodies.

The CANRI Community Reference Group comprises of approximately 15 members. In order to ensure that the community’s needs are adequately represented it is intended that at least two thirds of the CRG are community members (eg. Catchment Management Boards, environmental groups, rural interests, indigenous interests, local government and industry).

The Chair of the CANRI Community Reference Group is nominated from the community members. All nominations for CANRI CRG membership are forwarded to the CANRI Board for final approval.

Representatives of other stakeholder organisations may also attend specific meetings as invited by Group members. New members are to be determined by the group.

Government Representatives are:

• CANRI Business Development Manager
• CANRI Program Director
• CANRI Project Officer (attends as an observer to take minutes of the meeting)
• Others as required

Appointments are for the full two years remaining of the CANRI Program. Any resignations will be followed by a reappointment to fill the position.

The Group will:

• Meet every two months or more often as required and in time to coincide with CANRI Board Meetings.
• Circulate minutes and papers for meetings and communicate as required on CANRI implementation.
• Report to meetings of the CANRI Program Board through the CRG Chair.
• Maintain close coordination with the Program Implementation Group through the Chairs of each Group.
• Circulate CRG meeting minutes and other reports to members and as required to CANRI Project Managers, CANRI data suppliers, the CANRI Program Implementation Group and others as decided by any Group member, bearing in mind any commercial or other sensitivities.

1. The CANRI Business Development Manager is the primary resource in carrying out the Group’s recommendations. The BDM will assist the Chair at meetings and present reports on community focussed projects and implementation of the communication strategy.
2. The CANRI Project Officer will provide secretarial support to the Group.
3. The CANRI Program Director will ensure overall integration of the CRG’s input into the Program, including through liaison with the Program Implementation Group.