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TARGET Survey uncovers key landholder issues
Why are some landholders better at implementing land use change than others?
The TARGET - Tools to Achieve land use Redesign Given Environmental/Economic Targets - survey examined this issue with surprising results across New South Wales. Areas surveyed included Little River, Mid-Talbragar, Castlereagh/Dunedoo, Weddin and Warrangong catchments.
Funding
During 2000-2003 the Central West Catchment Management Authority (CMA) received funding from the Australian Government to examine social and economic questions surrounding land management change. The State Government also provided support.
Activities
Central West CMA Catchment Officer, Colleen Farrow, said TARGET explored important social questions affecting landholders.
"The social component is really interesting," she said. "We need to ask landholders what they are thinking about and to involve them in the development of projects to ensure they have ownership.
"We need to provide field days to get them talking to each other because they have lost a lot of social opportunities. Over the years, tennis and cricket grounds have disappeared and so have churches. This means landholders don't have as much contact with neighbours."
Achievements
TARGET uncovered some surprising information about landholders' attitudes to managing change.
"A lot of the time it's not about incentives. It's about having the right sort of technical advice and support," Colleen said.
"It's also about having a good family life which includes support and structure.
"Family succession was a significant issue. Some landholders have problems implementing change if they don't play a major role in handling the farm finances.
"For example, children may want money to try something new, but they are reluctant if their Dad is still holding the chequebook.
"Similarly, if the children go off to university or attend a training activity, they might come home with a new idea they want to trial on the farm. But if your Dad's been doing things the same way for the past 50 years - just like his father did - then it's difficult to implement change."
Ultimately, TARGET results ensured the CMA was able to direct incentive funds more accurately, in turn increasing local environmental projects.
"The results provided us with a better understanding about what land managers go through when they are thinking about making changes to their properties," Colleen said.
More information
- Colleen Farrow, Central West CMA Catchment Officer: (02) 6372 8906
- Central West CMA website: www.cw.cma.nsw.gov.au/contacts
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