Strategic Plan

in

NELA Business Plan 2008

President's Message

NELA's Business Plan for 2008 continues to build on the Strategic Plan 2006-2008, and is certainly aimed at further developing NELA's Purpose, Vision and Mission identified in that document.

We have set three significant but achievable goals to work towards in this year:

1.  Continue to Improve information service delivery to members:

To ensure that information sent to members is done so on a regular basis and in the most efficient manner possible.

2.  Continue to develop relationships with other State/National International bodies:

To realise NELA's vision to be a leader in environmental las issues at a national level.

3.  Review the Company structure and Constitution of NELA:

To ensure NELA adopts the most appropriate corporate structure to achieve its vision and complies with the law.

The NELA National Executive is working well towards  these goals, and, of course, the 2008 NELA National Conference played a significant role in achieving these ends.

I would welcome any  comments or suggestions as to the way in which our goals in the 2008 Business Plan might be achieved.

Robyn Glindemann

President
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAW ASSOCIATION LTD

NELA Strategic Plan 2006-2008 

President's Message

I have great pleasure in putting forward the Strategic Plan for NELA for 2006 - 2008.

This plan builds upon that of 2004 - 2006 and incorporates our wish to further the ' Harmonisation of Environmental Law ' particularly through our Environmental Law Roundtable of Australia and New Zealand.

I would welcome any of your comments or suggestions as to the way in which our goals in the Plan might be achieved.

Tim Mellor
President
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAW ASSOCIATION LTD

Introduction

  1. The reasons for the establishment and existence of the National Environmental Law Association (NELA) in Australia have not changed since 1982 namely:-
    1. To create a national perspective for environmental law.
    2. To be an environmental law network across Australia.
    3. To offer a multidisciplinary focus.
    4. To provide an educative role.
  2. Having been established for more than 20 years there is still a need for NELA to market itself.
  3. Whilst recognizing the need for a State/Territory focus on environmental law there is also a need for State/Territory issues to be put into a National perspective.
  4. NELA can provide the “big picture” forum for the issues involved in development and the environment (including sustainability) on an Australia wide basis.
  5. NELA remains relevant.
  6. There is an opportunity for NELA to advance environmental law issues.
  7. NELA carries out a worthwhile job for its members but recognizes that there is a need for improved communications and information delivery especially as an Environmental Law Information Service Provider.
  8. There is no other National organisation like NELA.

Vision

The National Environmental Law Association (NELA) is to be a leader in the development and promotion of Environment Law to regulate and manage conservation and usage of the Environment in accordance with internationally recognized principles of ecologically sustainable development.

Mission

The National Environmental Law Association (NELA) is an Australia wide multi-disciplinary organisation serving the needs of professionals in law, planning, natural resources and environmental management, environmental science and environmental impact assessment, to obtain and exchange information on issues relevant to environmental law and policy.

Goals

  1. Improve information delivery to members.
  2. Upgrade the current website as soon as reasonably practicable and continually improve it over time.
  3. Re-establish relationships with QELA, NSWEPLA and VPELA.
  4. Improve connections and a working relationships with:
    1. Young Lawyers Associations
    2. Other Young Professionals organisations
    3. Students
    4. Universities
    5. Industry
    6. Other Professional Institutes and Associations; eg RMLANZ, PIA
    7. The three spheres of the Public Sector
  5. Establish better communications between State/Territory Executives, the National Executive and the National Secretariat.
  6. Hold significant national forums that complement rather than compete with State activities.
  7. The provision of timely information on comparative jurisdictional developments in environmental law.
  8. Develop a Young Professional Program.
  9. Promote greater exposure for NELA and its work.
  10. Encourage a better understanding and use of the Rule of Law.

Strategic Directions 2006 - 2008

Website

  1. Upgrade the website, including ease of updating "in-house".
  2. Continually look at ways to improve the website.

Improved Information Delivery to Members

  1. Ensure that the National Environmental Law Review Journal is delivered on time.
  2. Recognise that members join to receive the Journal and service that need while developing new ways of communicating and attracting new members in a market where there is an overcrowding of Journals.
  3. Send out the NELA Bulletin on a regular basis.
  4. Encourage State/Territory Committees to support timely contributions for the Journal and the Bulletin.
  5. Request QELA, NSWEPLA and VPELA and other complementary organisations to send copies of newsletters and other publications to the National Secretariat and for the National Secretariat to include relevant and interesting information onto the NELA website as part of a nationwide sharing of information service.
  6. Develop a complementary rather than a competitive approach to information sharing with other organisations.
  7. Have information on NELA activities published in journals, magazines and newsletters of a wide cross section of organisations in recognition of the multidisciplinary nature of the current and future membership of NELA. Establish an email list of organisations with publications to notify of NELA events and reciprocal arrangements.

Hold Significant National Forums

  1. Develop the Environmental Law Roundtable of Australia and New Zealand (ELRANZ) program of meetings and events.
  2. Work with other national professional bodies and State – based bodies to include a "ELRANZ session" at their annual events.
  3. Work towards a NELA National Conference in 2007.
  4. Investigate ways and means to reduce financial barriers on conference registrations (and membership fees) while improving the overall financial viability of NELA as a National Organisation based in Canberra.
  5. Ensure all NELA events can be CLE/CPD accredited.

The Rule of Law

  1. Investigate development of a National Policy (in consultation with State and Territory NELA Committees) on how Legislators should look at the Rule of Law in the making and amendment of Environmental Laws.
  2. Implement the Harmonisation of Environmental Laws Project.

Improved Research Capability

  1. Allocate money towards part time research assistance from a post-graduate student to assist the ELRANZ and NELA's research capability generally.
  2. Plan and develop NELA's research capability for 2006 and beyond.

Improved Internal Communications

  1. Ensure regular meetings of the National Secretariat held
  2. Create pages on the website for State/Territory communications.
  3. NELA Secretariat to send out list of services to State Committees and foster regular direct communication with State Committees.
  4. Encourage advanced notice of seminar and conference programs so that information can be shared on a national basis and help maximise a complementary approach and minimise unnecessary competition in the same market.

Improved Internal Communications

  1. Actively seek out more support for and membership of NELA.
  2. Demonstrate value for money for the membership dollar.
  3. Encourage Members to make reference to the work of NELA in conference and Seminar presentations and publications to assist in the raising of NELA's profile.
  4. Look at NELA being involved in joint activities and working closer with other organisations at the State, Territory and National levels.
  5. Reinvigorate interest in NELA in the ACT.
  6. The National Executive to take on the responsibility of fostering the development of NELA in Queensland, New South Wales, Tasmania and the Northern Territory and encourage the establishment and/or expansion of NELA Committees to complement the existing network.
  7. Add sustainability principles to the NELA constitution.

Young Professionals

  1. Promote the existence and activities of NELA through the Young Lawyers Association and other young professionals groups and organisations as part of the multidisciplinary capacity building of NELA.
  2. Support the Young Lawyers Environmental Awards, Environmental Mooting and Partnering Programs.