The National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council advises the Minister for the Environment and the Secretary of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water on issues relating to the operation and management of national parks and reserves, including:
- strategies for attaining the objects of the Act
- the development, implementation and review of the policies and plans of the service directed to achieving those objects
- strategies for promoting, consistent with the Act, the conservation of natural and cultural heritage outside the reserve system
- the care, control and management of areas reserved under the Act, including, if requested by the Minister, the content of any specific plans of management
- conservation agreements and conservation areas
- wilderness areas and wild rivers
- any matter referred to the Council for advice under the Act or by the Minister or the Secretary or that the Council considers necessary for the administration of the Act.
The Council provides independent, informed technical expert advice inclusive of stakeholder groups to the Minister on a wide range of strategic matters, including proposed changes to legislation, draft plans of management of statewide significance, proposed long-term leases and licences (greater than 10 years), and high-impact or statewide issues impacting on the implementation of the Act.
The Council consists of up to 19 members appointed by the Minister, each having experience or expertise in a range of backgrounds as listed in Schedule 7 of the Act, including:
- local government
- rural and regional development
- planning
- science
- environmental education
- bushfire management
- natural and cultural heritage conservation
- recreation and community use of reserves.
Council members are expected to contribute to the effectiveness of Council, analyse information, make a constructive contribution to discussion, and uphold the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water's Board and Committee Code of Conduct.
Members of the National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council
Council members come from a range of backgrounds, including science, education, conservation and natural resource management.
- Ms Rhonda Ashby
Expertise and experience in Aboriginal cultural heritage conservation - Assoc Prof Rosemary Black
Expertise and experience in environmental education and community involvement in environmental education - Mr Geoffrey Chapman
Member of a regional advisory committee - Mr Robert Conroy
Member of a regional advisory committee - Dr Grahame Douglas AM
Expertise in non-government organisations concerned with the conservation of nature, nominated by the National Parks Association of NSW - Cr Romola Hollywood
Experience in planning and local government, nominated by Local Government NSW - Mr Ross McDonnell
Expertise in non-government organisations concerned with the conservation of nature, nominated by the Nature Conservation Council of NSW - Cr Phyllis Miller OAM
Experience in planning and local government, nominated by Local Government NSW - Mr Gregory Mullins AO AFSM
Expertise and experience in bushfire management - Assoc Prof Julie Old
Scientific qualifications in an area associated with the conservation of nature - Dr Allison O’Sullivan
Qualifications in cultural heritage research - Ms Cathy Parsons
Expertise and experience in ecotourism or the sustainable visitor or tourist use, enjoyment and appreciation of reserves - Ms Bronwyn Petrie
Expertise and experience in agriculture and rural issues, nominated by NSW Farmers - Mr Ted Rowley
Expertise and experience in rural and regional development and planning issues - Mr Andrew Smith
Member of a regional advisory committee - Dr Rebecca Spindler
Scientific qualifications in areas associated with the conservation of nature - Mr Craig Thomas
Representing peak recreational bodies - Mr Edward Whyman
Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee member - Miss Rowena Welsh-Jarrett
Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee member
Meeting dates
2025
- 5 February
- 7 to 8 May
- 6 August
- 5 November
2024
- 6 February
- 23 to 24 May
- 13 August
- 12 November
Meeting summaries
See summaries of the matters raised at recent Advisory Council meetings:
- 88th meeting of the National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council 12 November 2024 (PDF 132KB)
- 87th meeting of the National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council 13 August 2024 (PDF 130KB)
- 86th meeting of the National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council 23–24 May 2024 (PDF 144KB)
- 85th meeting of the National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council 6 February 2024 (PDF 143KB)
- 84th meeting of the National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council 22 November 2023 (PDF 144KB)
- 83rd meeting of the National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council 13 September 2023 (PDF 145KB)
- 82nd meeting of the National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council 23–24 May 2023 (PDF 168KB)
- 81st meeting of the National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council 14–15 February 2023 (PDF 133KB)
- 80th meeting of the National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council 29 November 2022 (PDF 128KB)
- 79th meeting of the National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council 7 September 2022 (PDF 137KB)
- 78th meeting of the National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council 23-25 May 2022 (PDF 128KB)
- 77th meeting of the National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council 15-16 February 2022 (PDF 188KB)