The NDSP will be coordinated through two national bodies:

A Management Board with responsibility to:

• develop policy, strategies and priorities for the achievement of program goals and objectives as enunciated in the NDSP Management Plan;
• approve and establish program R,D&E activities and ensure that they satisfy program goals and objectives;
• consider reports of the Operations Committee on the progress of program R,D&E activities;
• facilitate the integration of, and collaboration between, industry, local, state and national salinity management efforts;
• ensure program investments meet the interests of partner organisations;
• seek new partnerships which meet the goals and objectives of the program;
• monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the program;
• approve annual budgets of the pooled component of program accounts; and
• approve an annual report of the program.

Board membership will comprise major investors in the program whose contribution, financial or in-kind, is:

• recognised as being essential to achieve the goals and objectives of the program at industry, state and national levels; and
• willingly offered in the spirit of collaboration required to achieve the goals and objectives of the program at industry, state and national levels.

New partners will be welcome to join the Board where they meet the above criteria.

An Operations Committee with responsibility to:

make recommendations to the Board on R,D&E activities which should be supported under the program;

ensure program R,D&E activities remain technically sound;

• facilitate the coordination of R,D&E activities within and across program partners and themes;
• monitor and evaluate the technical effectiveness of the program;
• advise the Board on the progress of program R,D&E activities;
• facilitate the exchange of knowledge and training nationally between regions and industries;
• develop strategies for the communication of program R,D&E, including coordination of national workshops and newsletters;
• develop linkages between the RD&E activities of the Program and on-ground works supported through other programs; and
• assess results and their implications, and make recommendations to the NDSP Board and program partners on con sequent action.

Program Coordination

The program secretariat will reside with the Land and Water Resources R&D Corporation, which will service the Program Board through the provision of a Program Manager, budgeting and accounts records and an automated project management system.

Some of the program's Themes will have a specific Theme Coordinator provided by a lead agency in the area concerned. For example, the Grains R&D Corporation will provide coordination arrangements through a Theme Coordinator for the Grains Industry Theme.

A part-time National Manager will be appointed as the first point of contact for those wishing to interact with the program.

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