Forest Practices Authority
Re-visioning their organisation through the eyes of stakeholders
December 2003 – February 2004
The brief:
For a decade, the Forest Practices Board was widely recognised as a best practice example of the contemporary regulatory theory of 'co-regulation'. However, the intense public debate about forestry in Tasmania led to calls for higher levels of independence and transparency in forest regulation. Futureye was asked to assist the Forest Practices Board understand how to develop a form of regulation that builds community support whilst retaining industry acceptance.
For a decade, the Forest Practices Board was widely recognised as a best practice example of the contemporary regulatory theory of 'co-regulation'. However, the intense public debate about forestry in Tasmania led to calls for higher levels of independence and transparency in forest regulation. Futureye was asked to assist the Forest Practices Board understand how to develop a form of regulation that builds community support whilst retaining industry acceptance.
Our solution:
Futureye researched stakeholder concerns through a literature review, themed the key issues, analysed the key outrage triggers and wrote a report for the consideration of the Board. Futureye then facilitated a strategic workshop for the Board. The aim of the workshop was to tackle the issue at the core of the problem- defining the role the board in increasing the accountability of an industry with high levels of stakeholder outrage.
Futureye researched stakeholder concerns through a literature review, themed the key issues, analysed the key outrage triggers and wrote a report for the consideration of the Board. Futureye then facilitated a strategic workshop for the Board. The aim of the workshop was to tackle the issue at the core of the problem- defining the role the board in increasing the accountability of an industry with high levels of stakeholder outrage.
The result:
The workshop was a true turning point for the Board, deciding to recommend major reforms to the Tasmanian Government, including statutory amendments to change the make-up of the regulatory authority. The Board recommended the introduction of a governance model based on independent directors to replace the existing representative model, which was perceived to have inherent conflicts of interest. The changes were endorsed by Parliament, resulting in the establishment of the new Forest Practices Authority on 1st July 2005. Later we worked with the new authority to develop a strategic plan.
The workshop was a true turning point for the Board, deciding to recommend major reforms to the Tasmanian Government, including statutory amendments to change the make-up of the regulatory authority. The Board recommended the introduction of a governance model based on independent directors to replace the existing representative model, which was perceived to have inherent conflicts of interest. The changes were endorsed by Parliament, resulting in the establishment of the new Forest Practices Authority on 1st July 2005. Later we worked with the new authority to develop a strategic plan.
“Futureye's insight and expertise helped my board appreciate that dealing with perceptions is as important as dealing with the hard science. Futureye helped the board re-assess its regulatory approach, which lead to major regulatory reforms.” Graham Wilkinson |