The committees reaffirmed their unanimous commitment to a whole-of-basin, cross-border, community-driven approach to natural resource management. They also restated that catchment-based knowledge and expertise are integral parts of the process.

Letters are being written to the relevant Ministers advising them of this continuing commitment, and seeking clarification on the specifics of the new funding regime.

In the meantime, the catchment committees and the Coordinating Group have resolved to be proactive rather than sit back and wait. The organisational framework has been reviewed and several options put forward to best position the organisation for whatever funding possibilities arise under the new system.

The most favoured option is for the Lake Eyre Basin Coordinating Group to express interest in becoming the Regional Group in Queensland. If accepted, it must develop an accredited Regional Natural Resource Management Plan. Much of the work has already been done in this regard; the Strategic Plans developed for the Lake Eyre Basin and the catchments of the Cooper and the Georgina Diamantina would merely need to be fine-tuned to fill this role. An accredited Regional Investment Strategy would also be required.

Under this format, the Lake Eyre Basin Coordinating Group could then apply to the appropriate regional bodies in South Australia, New South Wales and Northern Territory for funding for cross-border projects.

The combined meeting further resolved to identify priority projects that need to continue through the transitional funding period from when Natural Heritage Trust (NHT) Mark 1 finishes in September 2002 until July 2003 when NHT Mark 2 begins.

Current on-ground projects being managed by the Lake Eyre Basin Coordinating Group, such as parkinsonia control and heritage tourism, have funding for their duration. However, the projects that do not have funding beyond NHT Mark 1 are long-term organisational infrastructure projects such as the Coordinators for the catchment committees, the Chief Executive for the Coordinating Group, and administrative and communications support for both.