Southern NSW Innovation Hub is an unincorporated joint venture hosted by Charles Sturt University. It is one of eight Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs across Australia, established in 2021 under the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund following a competitive grant process.
In 2021, Charles Sturt University, as the host of the Hub, entered into a Collaboration Agreement with other Hub Lead Members. This formal agreement sets out the roles and responsibilities within the Hub and its decision-making framework. The Collaboration Agreement between Charles Sturt and Hub Lead Members governs the operations of Southern NSW Innovation Hub, the conduct of Hub activities and provides for the establishment of a skills-based advisory Board.
The role of the Board
The Hub Board consists of nominees from each of the Hub Lead Member organisations as well as an Independent Chair (appointed by Charles Sturt) and the Hub Director. The Independent Chair of Southern NSW Innovation Hub is Mr Barry Irvin AM, the Executive Chair of the Bega Group.
Other Board members are nominated by their organisations and appointed according to a skills matrix developed as part of the Collaboration Agreement. Once appointed, Board members are expected to act independently of their nominating organisation and in the best interests of southern NSW farmers and communities. The Hub board meets at least four times a year.
Read more about the role of the Hub Board, as defined in clause 9.4 of the Collaboration Agreement.
In carrying out its functions under the Collaboration Agreement, the Hub Board must reflect the obligations imposed on the Hub Lead Members under applicable Laws and other policies that the Hub Lead Members already have in place.
Conflicts of interest
The Collaboration Agreement entered into in 2021 by all Hub partners contains specific provisions for managing conflicts of interest relating to members of Hub governance bodies, Hub staff and other individuals.
Hub Board members are required to disclose any conflicts of interest that may affect them. The Hub Board maintains a register of conflicts, which is reviewed and updated at each Board meeting. Conflicts of interest are actively managed to ensure transparency and impartiality.
Staff members of the Southern NSW Innovation Hub are employees of Charles Sturt University and are bound by the University’s Code of Conduct policy and Conflict of Interest Procedure. This procedure identifies the various private interests and circumstances that give rise or may give rise to actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest within the Hub (and the University) as well as the actions to be taken to address and manage such conflicts. The Hub maintains a proactive culture regarding management of conflicts of interest.
Risk management
Southern NSW Innovation Hub operates under Charles Sturt University’s Risk Management Policy and Procedure. In addition, the Hub has its own robust Risk Management Framework which includes a Risk Assessment and Treatment Plan.
The Hub Board reviews the progress of all Hub activities on at least four occasions per year and this includes identification and review of project, activity and other strategic risks. Risk mitigation plans are then enacted as required. Within the Hub team, there is a proactive culture of identifying, assessing, and managing risks.
Operational reporting
In accordance with the Hub Head Agreement and/or the specific funding conditions outlined in each Grant Agreement, as well as the detailed Activity Work Plans (AWPs) that are approved by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), the Hub provides comprehensive reports on its activities and expenditures to DAFF every six months.
Finance management
In addition to complying with the requirements and relevant accounting standards, the Hub’s income and expenditure are managed in accordance with the Charles Sturt University Finance Management Policy and associated procedures and systems. Detailed financial reports on Hub expenditure and the Hub's financial position form part of each Hub Board meeting agenda.
Approval and signature of Hub sub-contracts is enacted according to the Charles Sturt University Delegations and Approvals Policy. All contracts must be reviewed by Charles Sturt University Legal (or a delegated external legal firm) before approval by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) or Vice-Chancellor (VC). In addition, the Hub Board has oversight and authority to approve all significant strategic investments.
Procurement
Procurement by Southern NSW Innovation Hub is governed by Charles Sturt University’s Procurement Procedure within its Finance Management Policy. It requires that all Hub procurement activities follow the highest standards of probity, transparency, value for money, responsibility, safety, equity and the avoidance of any conflicts of interest.
Expenditure
Southern NSW Innovation Hub ensures all expenditure is in line with the Hub Head Agreement and/or the specific funding rules of a Grant Agreement. It also follows the detailed Activity Work Plans (AWPs) that sit under each of these agreements and are approved by DAFF.
In line with Grant Agreements with DAFF, Southern NSW Innovation Hub engages an external auditor to audit all its expenditure. For the Hub Head Agreement, the Hub has engaged auditors more regularly than required by the Agreement. To date, independent auditors have signed off on all Hub audit reports and have made no adverse findings.
