House of Assembly Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2) 52 2 Parliament of South Australia House of Assembly published Answers to Questions Budget Papers BUDGET PAPERS Mr MARSHALL House of Assembly Norwood BUDGET PAPERS 288 Mr MARSHALL (Norwood) (11 September 2012). With respect to 2012-13 Budget Paper 4, vol. 12, p. 124— How many community groups share in the $2 million allocated to community groups and non-government organisations as part of the NRM community grants scheme, what are the guidelines and who has the final decision in this allocation? The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL House of Assembly Mawson Minister for Tourism Minister for Recreation and Sport BUDGET PAPERS The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL (Mawson—Minister for Tourism, Minister for Recreation and Sport): The Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation has received this advice: In total, 68 community groups and 51 non-Government organisations shared in the $2 million from the 2012-13 NRM Community Grant funding. The NRM Community Grants funding is based on the following principles: 1.	Activities contribute to the achievement of relevant natural resources management targets; 2.	Fostering partnerships is valuable to encourage shared responsibility and deliver best possible natural resources management outcomes; 3.	Communities and individuals are engaged and empowered to support natural resources management objectives; 4.	Activities utilise best available science and knowledge of best practices; and 5.	Activities demonstrate high value for money. Project applications were considered by an assessment panel with expertise in community engagement, environmental conservation, sustainable agriculture and Aboriginal matters. Panel members reviewed and scored the applications individually, then met to discuss and finalise the list of projects to be awarded grant funding.