Citizen Senates for Engaging the Unengaged

Davidson A¹*, Chapman S¹*

1. Natural Resource Management South East Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

This workshop will draw on the experience of Natural Resource Management South East Queensland in developing the Regional Natural Resource Management Plan for the fastest growing region in Australia.

The SEQ Citizen Senate for Natural Resource Management assembled 40 Citizen Senators representing the socio economic demographic of the region. The majority of these people represent the large portion of the community that have not traditionally been engaged in regional planning of this nature. A panel of scientists presented the current science relating to the priority regional natural assets and the threats impacting upon them. The Citizen Senators asked strategic questions of the scientists to assist them in prioritising the importance of the assets and the threats. The results were used to guide Australian Government investment in natural resource management in SEQ.

Relive this landmark event by being part of the organising committee as we plan, execute and analyse the results from a Citizen Senate during this workshop.