National RD&E Framework

Over the past three years Australian governments and primary industries have come to the conclusion that to remain globally competitive Australia needs a more national and co-ordinated approach to rural research, development and extension.

The current system is seen to be prone to duplication and fragmentation. This leads to rising overhead costs and constraints on technology investment. To address these challenges, Australian Governments through their Primary Industries Ministerial Council (PIMC) and the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council have moved to create a National Research, Development and Extension Framework. Sitting underneath the National Framework will be 14 sectoral strategies.

The development and implementation of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture RD&E Strategy is being led by a working group that includes FRDC, Victorian Department of Primary Industries, the Department of Primary Industries and resources SA, and Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment. One of the primary goals of this group is to better understand how the processes behind RD&E expenditure -- would fit within a national framework. These processes include national priorities, the FRDC’s plan, Commonwealth and state government priorities, plus sector plans.

The seven steps to develop the national strategy are:

1. Sector overview
2. Current resource analysis (capability audit)
3. Future RD&E plan
4. Capability analysis against the plan
5. Change plan
6. Consultation and approvals
7. Implementation arrangements

Sector overview

Ridge partners successfully tendered to undertake the sector analysis. The principle researcher will be Ewan Colquhoun and he will bring in additional expertise through Julian Pepperell, Chris Robertson and Keith Sainsbury. The purpose of the sector overview is to undertake a strategic review and analysis of the business environment for the fisheries and aquaculture industries (commercial, recreational and indigenous) to support the establishment of a national RD&E framework.

Capability audit

Rural Development Services (RDS Pty Ltd) has successfully tendered to undertake the capability audit. The purpose of the capability audit is:

• To audit and assess the existing RD&E capability in the field of fisheries and aquaculture, and their aquatic ecology and biodiversity, within a national context, and including all research providers in this field. To identify the gaps in the current RD&E capability in the fields of fisheries and aquaculture with respect to meeting defined future sector strategic priorities. (step 4)

Consultation

An initial broad stakeholder workshop for the National RD&E framework was held on the 22^nd – 23^rd July at the Stamford Grand in Adelaide. Forty-two participants attended and included Directors of Fisheries, fisheries managers, industry, researchers, research agencies, extension, the university sector, research funders and managers, and emerging leaders in a number of areas. Peter Box, who has worked with the wine industry on their RD&E framework, facilitated the workshop. Available on this page are the facilitator’s notes and presentations from the workshop. A second workshop is planned for November.

A range of meetings are also being conducted with industry sectors, research agencies, and cross sector gatherings. Importantly, an “open door” approach is being taken on submissions and contributions. In the first instance contact jo-anne.ruscoe@frdc.com.au (02) 6285 0400 to find out more or to make a submission or comment.

National RDE strategy document - Draft 1 March 2010

A copy of the new draft Working Together - National Fishing and Aquaculture RDE Strategy 01-03-2010 has been released for comment. When providing comment, please reference the page and line number you are referring to, and consider the following from your own perspective:

1. Do you feel the sector overview captures the complexity of the industry, and the current and future operational and business environment appropriately?
2. Is the information in this section presented in the best way?
3. Is the information on current capability presented in the best way?
4. Are the national research themes the right ones for your sector?
5. Do the proposed research topics under each theme capture the critical national strategic RD&E issues for your sector?
6. Is the proposed implementation structure and process: (1) adequately explained; and (2) a realistic means to deliver on the strategy? Are there missing relationships?
7. Can you provide a further example of current collaborative partnerships to be included in attachment 2?
8. Do you have a great photo that really captures the aims of the strategy, or that really captures the people and activities in your sector that could be used in the strategy (or in the FRDC R&D Plan 2010-2015)?

Closing date for Comment

The date for receipt of comment has been extended to the 15th February.

For further information or to provide comments, partnership examples and photos contact Jo-Anne Ruscoe by email to jo-anne.ruscoe@frdc.com.au by that date.

National Strategy Document

• National RDE strategy document Draft 1 March 2010
  

Ministerial Council

• Statement of Intent

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

• National Primary Industries Research Development and Extension framework website

General Communications

• Communiqué 1, Adelaide Workshop 26 August 2009
• Communiqué 2, 20 October 2009
• Communiqué 3, 22 December 2009
• Communique 4, 5 March 2010

Reports

• Capability audit and assessment DRAFT 03-02-2010
• Fishing and Aquaculture Sector Overview DRAFT 03-02-2010
• Workshop Report 
• Workshop Facilitator Notes - 17-18 November 2009

Presentations 

• Context – The Primary Industries Ministerial Council and why we are developing a National RD&E Framework (Bruce Kefford)
• Scope of the National RD&E Framework for Fishing and Aquaculture (Robert Gott)
• Drivers for Change and Possible RD&E Priorities (Patrick Hone)
• Sector Overview (Ewan Colquhoun)
• Possible Future (ideal) RD&E Framework – (Mehdi Doroudi)
• Sector overview - Fishery Manager (Heather Brayford)
• Sector overview - Recreational (Len Olyott)
• Sector overview - Wild fisheries (Neil MacDonald)
• Sector overview - Aquaculture (Brett McCallum)

Terms of reference for consultancies

• Sector overview

• Capability audit