Our natural resources are critical to the prosperity of our State and are the foundation of our productive capacity. Prosperity is about our quality of life, our economic development and employment status and prospects and our health, recreational, cultural and social needs being met, including those of Aboriginal people.

The allocation and use of natural resources within their ‘ecologically sustainable limits’ is fundamental to achieving sustainable living. Ecologically sustainable limits mean natural limits beyond which natural resources may be damaged and unable to recover. Limits include land capability, sustainable water yields, biodiversity conservation and sustainable harvesting of wild resources.