"Healthy catchments where serrated tussock has a minimum impact on social, economic and environmental values."

Operating under broad parameters set by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) the Working Party reports to the Secretary of the Department, and has the following charter of operations:

To be responsible for the development and implementation of detailed action strategies for their specific functions and to provide oversight for on-ground program delivery (including local government).

To develop any specific policies (and seek DPI endorsement) that relate to the implementation of their work programs.

Review and advise budget allocations/submissions for Natural Heritage Trust Programs, State initiatives, partnership business and other programs that impact on the implementation of the Victorian Serrated Tussock Strategy.

To develop and negotiate a budget with the DPI/Catchment Authorities for service delivery of the particular program.

Provide advice to the Working Party on resource management objectives, targets, activities, priorities and budgets associated with their program for inclusion in the Business Plan.

Establish technical groups and sub committees to assist in their understanding of issues.

Act as communication links with relevant stakeholder groups regarding their particular program.

Report to the DPI/Catchment Authorities on achievement of objectives and targets annually.

The Working Party is to regulate its own proceedings, subject to the following:

The Working Party shall not exceed twelve (14) members in number (this includes relevant representation from agencies), unless a larger number can be justified to and approved by the Secretary.

(The Chair shall play an influential leadership role, providing vision, flair and pragmatic leadership and work with a cross-section of stakeholders.

The Vice-chair – this person shall be a member of the Working Party, who as well as acting a proxy for the chair will also be a community/landholder representative.)

Meeting frequency (these conditions need to be reviewed by The Working Party)

The Working Party shall meet at least 4 times a year.

Expenses

Committee members are eligible to be paid incidental expenses as incurred, upon receipt of a signed "Personal Expenses Claim Form" and accompanying proof of expenditure to the Executive Officer.

Each member will decide whether to submit a claim, based on their individual employment and other circumstances.

Committee members are eligible to be paid Session Fees and Travelling Expenses and other expenses incurred, for attending other meetings as an official representative of the VSTWP.

Each member will decide whether to submit a claim, based on their individual employment and other circumstances.

Members shall be appointed for a two-year period. Members can nominate for a further term/s after the expiry of their initial term.

A maximum of three consecutive terms is suggested.

In appointment of members the Working Party shall take account of the need for consistency and continuity between retiring and new committee membership.

Members are to be appointed by the Working Party following a call for "Expression of Interest". Appointment will be made on the basis of skills, knowledge and experience that the applicant can bring to the committee.

Geographic representation shall be considered when appointing members.

If the office of a Committee member becomes vacant, the VSTWP may recommend the appointment of a person, to the Working Party, to act in place of that member for the remainder of that person's term of office. Such appointment to be ratified by the Working Party.

The Working Party will appoint the Chair for an initial period of two years. In making this appointment the Working Party can nominate appointed occupant for a further term/s after the expiry of their initial term.

The chair or the chair nominated Working Party member will be the media representative for the Working Party

All members have a duty to provide support for the program in a public forum

All members to have Serrated Tussock Media Kit