The Victorian Government is committed to supporting the development of Traditional Owner businesses in Natural Resource Management Works and Related Services (Natural Resource Management). The Procurement Strategy for Natural Resource Management (the Strategy) promotes opportunities for these businesses to supply Natural Resource Management and increase their activity in the Victorian economy.
The Strategy is part of the Natural Resource Agreements as part of Recognition and Settlement Agreements made under the Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010 (Vic). Each Recognition and Settlement Agreement covers a defined geographic area. Within the Recognition and Settlement Agreement area, the Strategy facilitates:
- Traditional Owners’ access to, and use of, natural resources
- Traditional Owner corporations’ access to procurement opportunities for Natural Resource Management
If the Strategy applies, buyers must procure Natural Resource Management consistently with the Strategy for that Recognition and Settlement Agreement area.
The Strategy also recognises Traditional Owners’ unique relationship to Country in Victoria, and helps achieve business and employment outcomes under the Recognition and Settlement Agreements.
Does the Strategy apply to your organisation or procurement activity?
The Strategy applies to your agency or procurement activity if:
- The procuring agency meets the definition of State Agency in the Strategy (see below); and
- The procurement is for works that meet the definition of Natural Resource Management, which includes:
- Restoration and regeneration of landscapes;
- Establishment of biodiversity corridors;
- Landscaping and maintenance activities;
- Fencing;
- Environmental management plans;
- Managing the impact of feral animals and pest plants;
- Weed control;
- Environmental consulting; and
- The procurement is to be delivered in one of the following Recognition and Settlement Agreement areas:
- Dja Dja Wurrung – click here to view the map for this RSA area(opens in a new window); or
- Taungurung – click here to view the map for this RSA area(opens in a new window); or
- Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia, and Jupagulk People – click here to view the map for this RSA area(opens in a new window).
If the Strategy applies, buyers must procure Natural Resource Management consistently with the Strategy as it applies for that Recognition and Settlement Agreements area. Buyers should consult internally with their agency’s procurement unit before proceeding with the procurement.
Governance and implementation information for agencies
Procurement target
The Strategy establishes an annual target for each State Agency to procure Natural Resource Management from Traditional Owner Contractors in the Recognition and Settlement Agreements area.
The target is 10% of each State Agency’s ‘total spend’ on procuring Natural Resource Management in the Recognition and Settlement Agreements area each financial year as calculated by departments, once budgets and forward work programs are set.
The 10% target can include joint-venture projects where a Traditional Owner corporation and the State develop joint projects that the Traditional Owner Contractor delivers.
Definitions
- State Agency includes all departments and agencies that do or might undertake Natural Resource Management procurement in the Recognition and Settlement Agreements area.
- Traditional Owner Contractor means:
- The Traditional Owner Corporation and a contractor certified by the Corporation to be a Traditional Owner Contractor, and that is:
- A related body corporate or subsidiary of the Corporation;
- A person who is a member of the Traditional Owner group; or
- A body corporate, trust, partnership, joint venture, or other entity in which members of the Traditional Owner group have at least 50% ownership or equity stake.
- The Traditional Owner Corporation and a contractor certified by the Corporation to be a Traditional Owner Contractor, and that is:
Supplier engagement
Department of Premier and Cabinet strongly recommends that agencies proactively engage with Traditional Owner corporations to discuss:
- Natural Resource Management service offerings
- forward workplans and upcoming opportunities, and
- any other relevant information.
Engagement will help your agency establish the relevant corporation and its Contractors as preferred suppliers. Further information for engaging First Nations suppliers can be found at the following websites:
Future implementation actions
Work is underway to establish new processes under the Strategy. Further information will be provided once these are finalised.
Government buyers and agencies applying the Strategy are encouraged to check back here often for updates.
More information on individual Recognition and Settlement Agreements is found on the Department of Premier and Cabinet website.
Key contacts for further support
Land Justice Unit, Department of Premier and Cabinet, landjustice@dpc.vic.gov.au
Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation, djandak@djadjawurrung.com.au
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