The National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council advises on issues relating to the operation and management of national parks and reserves under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974:
- strategies for attaining the objects of the Act
- the development, implementation and review of the policies and plans of the Service directed to achieving those objects
- strategies for promoting, consistent with the Act, the conservation of natural and cultural heritage outside the reserve system
- the care, control and management of areas reserved under the Act, including, if requested by the Minister, the content of any specific plans of management
- conservation agreements and conservation areas
- wilderness areas and wild rivers
- any matter referred to the Council for advice under the Act or by the Minister or the Secretary or that the Council considers necessary for the administration of the Act.
The Council provides independent, informed technical expert advice inclusive of stakeholder groups to the Minister on a wide range of strategic matters, including proposed changes to legislation, draft plans of management of statewide significance, proposed long-term leases and licences (greater than 10 years), and high-impact or statewide issues impacting on the implementation of the Act.
The Council consists of up to 19 members appointed by the Minister, each having experience or expertise in a range of backgrounds as listed in Schedule 7 of the Act, including local government, rural and regional development, planning, science, environmental education, bushfire management, natural and cultural heritage conservation, recreation and community use of reserves. Council members are expected to contribute to the effectiveness of Council, analyse information, make a constructive contribution to discussion, and uphold the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water's Board and Committee Code of Conduct.
