About regional advisory committees
National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) regional advisory committees are community members and stakeholders who provide advice to the Minister for the Environment, the Secretary of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, and the National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council on policies, plans and activities for their region.
Regional advisory committees have a statutory responsibility to provide advice to the Minister on reserve plans of management.
Members are appointed by the Minister under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974.
There are 8 NPWS regional advisory committees, one for each of the operational branches.
Who they are
Each regional advisory committee has between 12 and 17 members, including:
- at least 2 Aboriginal people
- a person jointly nominated by the National Parks Association of NSW and the Nature Conservation Council of NSW
- members with expertise in fields such as conservation biology, wildlife management, environment, recreation, education, Aboriginal cultural heritage and world heritage, local government, rural, regional and agricultural issues, ecotourism, and community involvement in conservation and/or environmental education.
Regional advisory committees are appointed for a 4-year term.
What they do
Regional advisory committees meet at least 4 times a year, including online and at in-person meetings and site visits. Members collaborate with other members, Aboriginal custodians, NPWS staff and management to provide advice on park management. Members provide their informed personal views and represent the views of their aligned organisation or special interest groups.
Issues can include draft plans of management, feral animal and weed plans, fire management, heritage protection and recreation planning.
Members liaise with community and interest groups to bring local views to their committee and NPWS. They provide informed feedback to the community about NPWS initiatives.
NPWS branches
Each NPWS branch has a regional advisory committee. See the links below for detailed boundary maps:
- Blue Mountains (PDF 883KB)
- Greater Sydney (PDF 729KB)
- Hunter Central Coast (PDF 745KB)
- North Coast (PDF 708KB)
- Northern Inland (PDF 742KB)
- South Coast (PDF 709KB)
- Southern Ranges (PDF 783KB)
- West (PDF 832KB).
The 2022–2026 regional advisory committees’ term concluded on 30 June 2026. Recruitment is underway for the 2026–2030 term.
Applications closed for 2026–2030 term
Applications are now closed for the 2026–2030 term.
