Assessing changes in resource conditions is seen as an essential element for evaluating the impact of public and private investment in natural resource management(NRM) outcomes. Some observers suggest there is little to show in terms of improved natural resource condition for investment over the last 20+ years. In the language of NAPSWQ and NHT, the link between management action targets(MAT's) with time frames of 1-5 years and with 10-20 year timeframe has apparently not been made with sufficient rigor to convince policy makers of the value of NRM investment.

Agricultural industries are also keen to demonstrate their environmental credentials given they often feel targeted as the perpetrator of environmental harm in some debates despite significant individual and collective investment in developing and applying more sustainable practises.

This paper offers some observations and suggestions to progress the discussion on how to better access changes in natural resource conditions that are within the capacity of industry and regional NRM groups(the later are generally referred to as NRM Regional bodies or Catchment Management Authorities(CMA's))