The NSW Environmental Trust is an independent body established under the Environmental Trust Act 1998 that supports grant projects which enhance the environment of New South Wales. Technical Review Committees are established under the Act and provide independent advice and recommendations to Trust staff and the Trust Board.
The purpose of the Healthy Country Technical Review Committee is to advise the NSW Environmental Trust on major projects that prioritise healthy Country and recognise and value Aboriginal peoples, their traditional knowledge and practices and connection to Country, and to provide ongoing guidance to projects throughout their lifecycle.
Expertise, representation and knowledge of different Country and cultural practices across New South Wales has been sought including, but not exclusive to:
- water (fresh and salt)
- fire
- air and sky
- land
- culture
- totemic animal and/or plant species.
Experience in one of the following areas is also highly regarded:
- land and/or cultural resource management
- restoration ecology
- threatened species management
- ecological/cultural fire practices/management
- invasive species management
- community engagement/education
- Aboriginal community-run projects
Applications closed 5 pm Wednesday 4 June 2025.
The role of the Technical Review Committee
The main role of a Technical Review Committee is to provide independent advice and recommendations to Trust staff and the Trust Board on project proposals and, if funded, guidance on project progress through to completion.
The Healthy Country Technical Review Committee is being established so that the values of Aboriginal peoples, their traditional lore and their unique connection to Country are recognised and that these values guide environmental initiatives for investment. This advice will assist the Trust in ensuring funding is directed to the most appropriate and effective projects for community and Country.
As part of providing advice, a Healthy Country Technical Review Committee member will:
- review project proposals, seed funding requests, business plans and reports before meetings
- during meetings, discuss the projects or proposals, and provide advice and recommendations
- meetings will be up to 6 times a year - either online or on Country.
The Technical Review Committee will consist of one chairperson and 4 members.
How much does it pay?
| Chair | Member | |
|---|---|---|
| Full day | $350 | $220 |
| Half day | $175 | $110 |
Participation time (pre-reading or discussion time, including time for assessing applications) is remunerated at $31.42 per hour.
Reimbursement of expenses (including out-of-pocket travelling expenses) is paid in line with NSW Government policy.
What is the selection process?
Trust staff have formed a selection panel inclusive of Aboriginal people, to assess applicant suitability for the committee against the following selection criteria:
- experience in relevant area (water (fresh or salt), fire, air and sky, land, culture, totemic animal and/or plant species, other)
- experience in, or capacity to, work as part of a group/team/committee focused on caring for Country
- experience in, or capacity to, provide advice and/or make decisions fairly for the benefit of all involved.
All applications are reviewed and assessed on merit, to achieve diverse representation of knowledge, skills and Country across landscapes in New South Wales.