Neighbour relations policy

This NPWS policy aims to promote constructive relations with park neighbours.

The NPWS defines neighbours as:

• private landholders and leaseholders
• government agencies with responsibilities to manage land or public service utilities in parks and reserves who are affected by NPWS activities, and whose activities may also affect the NPWS.

Neighbours include those who have a common boundary with NPWS managed lands and those whose properties are in-holdings within these lands.

The NPWS will:

• build, maintain and enhance constructive relationships with neighbours based on mutual respect and trust
• promote this partnership through effective communication, consultation and participation on issues of mutual interest leading to shared responsibilities and benefits
• manage land with a broad perspective acknowledging the diversity of neighbours' objectives and the relationship of our activities to that wider community
• pursue open, honest and personalised communication with its neighbours to enhance understanding of NPWS responsibilities in the community and encourage our neighbours to do the same
• promote interaction between neighbours and National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Committees
• actively participate in joint natural resources management programs and initiatives such as Landcare, Coastcare, etc
• invite neighbour participation in decision-making and on-the-ground tasks and facilitate practical solutions to issues of mutual interest
• encourage neighbour involvement as volunteers
• endeavour to improve the capability of neighbours in ecologically sustainable planning and management eg on remnant bushland, including provision of advice to neighbours of any assistance available to them to deal with land management issues
• consider neighbour relations issues in NPWS policies, where appropriate.

This page only gives a summary of the policy. For detailed information please download the full policy at right. The policy includes contacts and a list of relevant legislation.

Page last updated: 23 January 2012