A Logic Model-Based Evaluation Framework to Assess Progress with Integrated Catchment Management Planning in the Auckland Region

The Auckland Regional Council (ARC) has provided contributory funding assistance (i.e. subsidies) to territorial authorities (TAs) to prepare Integrated Catchment Management Plans (ICMPs) since the 2004-2005 financial year. The objective of these subsidies is to help improve the quality (i.e. “raise the bar”) for the future management of stormwater and wastewater management and outcomes through improved planning by TAs.

The ICMP workstream can be divided into three categories for the purposes of evaluation:

1) Funding

Availability of funding is one contribution to successful and timely completion of quality Integrated Catchment Management (ICM).

2) Good Plans

ICMPs are successful if they contribute to good environmental outcomes. The quality of the outcome generally depends in part on the quality of the plan and its implementation.

3) Building relationships, awareness, linkages and alignment

Good relationships and shared understanding built up through personal and organizational contact are needed for quality plans and outcomes.

A logic model was developed for the ICMP workstream that shows details about these categories containing a situation analysis, vision, inputs, outputs and outcomes based on an orders of outcome classification (short, medium and long term outcomes). This paper describes the logic model based framework to enable ongoing assessment of progress on the ICMP workstream.