Stocked impoundment permit scheme working group - Terms of reference

Background

The Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme (SIPS) was established in 2000 and originally applied to 25 stocked dams. It now applies to 63 impoundments, with more requested regularly.  It is a user-pays system where all anglers accessing stocked fisheries are required to apply for a permit, with the funds raised, used to fund approved stocking programs.

Purpose of the Working Group

The purpose of the Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme Working Group (SIPSWG) is to advise Fisheries Queensland on the guidelines and funding associated with the SIPS program.

Role

The role of the SIPSWG is to:

  1. Provide advice on the minimum requirements and process for assessing applications from new impoundments proposing to join the Scheme
  2. Provide advice on the formula for allocating and carrying over unspent funds
  3. Provide advice on the acceptable uses of SIPS grants by stocking groups to promote consistency across groups
  4. Provide advice on potential future enhancements to the Scheme.

The working group is a non-statutory advisory body. It is not a decision-making body.

Membership

The working group will be made up of 12 members, including:

  • Chair (Fisheries Queensland)
  • Seven (7) stocking association members selected from associations currently participating in the SIP program and providing geographical representation across Queensland
  • Two (2) delegates from the Freshwater Fishing and Stocking Association of Queensland
  • Two (2) representatives from Fisheries Queensland

Members are appointed on the basis of their individual expertise, knowledge and experience and ability to represent the best interests of the wider fishing community and public.

The use of proxies will not be endorsed for meetings.

The presence of observers at meetings as well as the level of their participation in meetings will be at the discretion of the Chair.

Obligations and Responsibilities

Being a member on the SIPSWG has important obligations and responsibilities. Specifically, in accepting the appointment, members must be prepared to:

  1. Commit to attend working group meetings, read/evaluate information papers prior to meetings and constructively participate in discussions to achieve acceptable outcomes.
  2. Contribute knowledge of and experience in Queensland’s stocked impoundment fisheries to working group discussions.
  3. Consult with other stocking groups within their region and ensure stakeholder views are considered in working group discussions.
  4. Act in the best interests of the fishery as a whole rather than as an advocate for any particular individual, organisation, interest group or regional interest.
  5. Avoid pursuing personal agendas or self-interest, and participate in discussion in an objective and impartial manner.
  6. Respect the views expressed by other members.

Confidentiality and non-disclosure

Members must observe the following requirements:

  • Observe confidentiality and exercise tact and discretion when dealing with sensitive issues. If a stakeholder member is concerned about the disclosure to non-members of an issue that they consider may be sensitive, the member should seek advice from the Chair.
  • At all times act honestly, exercise care and diligence in the discharge of their duties and not make improper use of information obtained through being a member of the working group. Information is considered to be used improperly where, by using the information, a member gains an advantage either directly or indirectly (financial or otherwise) over another person or causes detriment to the project or to another person.
  • Not publish or communicate to any person, who they are not authorised to publish or communicate to, any fact or document which comes to their knowledge, or into their possession because they are a working group member and which (because of its confidential nature) it is their duty not to disclose.

Secretariat, Reporting and Communication

Fisheries Queensland will provide secretariat support to the SIPSWG as follows:

  • Arrange meeting times and technical support for meetings.
  • Ensure that documents for each meeting are available for circulation no less than 7 days before a meeting.
  • Record summary outcomes and provide administrative support for meetings.

A summary of the outcomes of each meeting will be agreed on to enable a communique to be published and made publicly available by Fisheries Queensland.  The Secretariat will provide more detailed minutes to members following the meeting, which will be endorsed at the following meeting.

Meetings and Travel costs

Membership is on a voluntary basis.  The working group will meet at least annually or as required.

No sitting fees or remuneration will be paid. Approved domestic travel costs associated with attending meetings will be reimbursed by Fisheries Queensland.

Duration of membership

Members will be appointed for a period of two years, or at the discretion of the Deputy Director-General, Fisheries and Forestry.

Appointment process

Members are appointed by the Deputy-Director General (Fisheries & Forestry).

The appointment process is through an expression of interest undertaken by Fisheries Queensland.