Scrutinizing the impact of policy instruments on adoption of agricultural conservation practices using Bayesian expert models

Policy instruments—such as regulation, financial incentives, and agricultural extension—are commonly applied by governments to promote sustainable agricultural practices and tackle ecosystem degradation. Despite substantial investment, little data are available to gauge the impact of evolving policy mixes. We constructed a Bayesian network model to explore relationships between pol-icy instruments, contextual factors, and adoption. Applying a series of scenarios, we present examples of how different instruments influence adoption and how their effectiveness is shaped by contextual factors. Scenarios highlight that the effect of policy instruments is often modest, and constrained by diverse practice and population characteristics. These findings allow us to reflect on the role of policy instruments, and the conditions necessary to support practice change. For example, our findings raise questions about the role of financial benefits versus financial capacity, and highlight the potential importance of concepts such as mental bandwidth in shaping both motivation and capacity to adopt

Regional whole-of-government in Central Queensland: a sociocultural interpretation

Over past decades, governments within Australia and throughout the Western world have sought to establish multi-sectoral planning processes that operate at a regional scale. Research on these processes has tended to focus on the challenges of ‘joining-up’ government and non-government sectors to create robust, effective and democratic regional structures and processes. Far less attention has been paid to integration within and between the various entities of government involved within these regional governance initiatives. This thesis, therefore, investigates the role of inter-governmental integration, or ‘whole-of-government’ activities, in relation to regional multi-sectoral governance. The institutional forms, enabling and constraining factors, and implications of inter-governmental arrangements between the various agencies and levels of government are examined. The study applies a sociocultural approach to institutional analysis. Commonly known as grid-group cultural theory, this approach provides a conceptual framework for identifying the fundamental social dynamics underlying differing forms of social organisation and governance. This framework specifies the primary forms, modus operandi and enabling social contexts of inter-institutional integration. These are, respectively: coordination by authority within hierarchy; cooperation through self-interest based collective action within competitive individualism; and collaboration through trust and a sense of commitment to the group within a communitarian social context. This study sought to investigate whole-of-government within regional governance through examination of two contemporaneous region-wide, multi-sectoral planning projects in Central Queensland, Australia. These were, namely, Central Queensland: A New Millennium, covering planning across a broad suite of issues, and the Fitzroy Basin Association, more specifically focussing on natural resource management planning for the region. Both bodies were in the process of implementing their regional plans at the time of this study. A qualitative case study methodology was employed in research, involving in-depth interviews with government officials, examination of project documents, and participation at meetings. The research data were analysed to identify the main processes and perceived outcomes of the two projects, and underlying factors relating to these. The two regional planning processes were generally perceived to have resulted in widely differing levels of success, and with many of the same government officials involved, there was considerable scope to contrast the whole-of-government structures and processes applied in the two cases. Analysis of the case material in the light of the theoretical framework and broader literature emphasised the nested and subordinate nature of regional whole-of-government efforts within the broader system of government. This system was revealed as characterised by horizontal fragmentation between departments and between jurisdictional tiers of government (Federal, State, and Local) but strong vertical integration within departments. The research highlighted the importance of central level political commitment to regional level integration efforts. Support is seen as particularly important in the form of 1) the political will to direct high-level coordination between departments and to advance cooperation between tiers of government; 2) sufficient resources allocated to regional plan implementation in order to motivate inter-governmental cooperation at a range of levels; and 3) the granting of sufficient autonomy to ensure effective devolution and regional level ownership that assists cooperation and collaboration at the regional level. In the light of the decisive importance of central level support, it was found that while high quality regional level leadership of regional whole-of-government processes is a necessary condition for their success, it is not a sufficient condition. To be effective, regional whole-of-government leadership requires both meaningful devolution and substantive central support. The study identified the multiple and contradictory forms of inter-governmental relations that comprise the social contexts at different levels within the broader system of government. In particular, the case study comparison suggested that success at the regional level relies on the application, at all levels, of forms and mechanisms of inter-governmental integration that are appropriate to the specific social contexts within which they are embedded

Interactional infrastructure in rural communities : matching training needs and provision

This paper reports some of the main lessons learnt from a collaborative project titled Generating jobs in regional Tasmania: a social capital approach investigating how two small rural Tasmanian communities could better match local training needs with training provision. The project was conducted within the context of the wider social, economic and demographic changes affecting the two rural communities and their ongoing efforts to manage such change. The paper provides a profile of the two communities with particular attention to their local education, training and employment infrastructure. Three research questions in terms of improving the contributions of leadership, partnerships and social capital are addressed. Development and utilisation of social capital, particularly in the form of interactional infrastructure (defined as opportunities and structures for interaction in a community) that brought together the range of stakeholders, appeared the key to successfully matching needs with provision. <br /

Pathways from rural schools : does VET make a difference?

This paper reports findings from a survey of former students from six Australian rural school clusters. It compares the experiences and outcomes of students who had participated in a school vocational education and training (VET) program with those who had not. School VET courses intended to provide a pathway to local employment appear to be successful in retaining students who otherwise may have left school before completing Year 12, and in assisting their transition from school to work. For all school VET students, the work placement component of the program aids the transition to local jobs and apprenticeships, and increases youth retention in the community. As the findings indicate that school VET students are predisposed to live in a rural area at some time during their working life, the paper concludes that VET programs in rural areas have special potential to develop skills and pathways for the future workforce of rural Australia.<br /

Barriers and facilitators of area-wide management including sterile insect technique application: The example of Queensland Fruit Fly

The area-wide management (AWM) of highly mobile insect pests such as tephritid fruit flies requires an integrated understanding of technical, social and institutional processes that drive a coordinated approach within a defined area. Furthermore, the success of an AWM programme is dependent upon the coordinated efforts of key stakeholders within the designated area (e.g. growers, community members). Yet, public views regarding AWM may not reflect those views held by scientists or stakeholders. Public considerations for acceptance are likely varied and multidimensional. A series of qualitative (phases 1-2) and quantitative (phase 3) studies examined stakeholder and community attitudes towards AWM to manage Queensland fruit fly Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Tephritidae) and the novel use of the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) as a possible component of AWM. Research was conducted over three regions of varying pest prevalence, ranging from zero to endemic; participants included growers, extension officers, industry and government representatives, and members of the general public. Participants in this research were asked to consider potential barriers and facilitators to the widespread uptake of AWM integrating the SIT, including any relevant institutional-level factors. Combined data revealed potential social barriers to AWM and SIT uptake. Most notably, there were perceptions of low efficacy in successfully coordinating key social groups for the purposes of an AW-IPM approach, and a concern for the possibility of ‘free-riders’ within an area-wide system. On the other hand, innovation complexity and observability of outcomes were important factors contributing to acceptance of AWM. Importantly, all participants were influenced by the attitudes and behaviours of important others. Participants also identified key facilitators that could assist in the uptake of AWM using the SIT. These facilitators include the importance of trustworthy information sources and harnessing the persuasive influence of community champions and central packing houses on commercial growers. Overall, there was high stated acceptance for the SIT, both on-farm and in towns, as long as SIT application was found to be economically feasible at individual farm or household level and the community was adequately consulted

Psychosocial barriers and facilitators for area-wide management of fruit fly in southeastern Australia

Social mechanisms underpinning collaborative approaches to pest management are as important as the biological control of the pest. To facilitate the success of an area-wide management approach, social factors need to be understood and addressed. This study qualitatively analyses social, psychological and institutional barriers and facilitators for the widespread adoption of area-wide management of Queensland fruit fly, and attitudes towards the use of sterile insect technology. Interviews were conducted (N = 35) with fruit growers, industry representatives, agronomists, government representatives and community leaders from across the dominant horticultural regions of southeastern Australia. Transcripts were analysed and compared based on thematic organisations. Growers and stakeholders expressed high acceptance for area-wide management of Queensland fruit fly and the use of sterile insect technology. However, participants reported limited knowledge of both area-wide management and sterile insect technology. Factors found to facilitate acceptance were perceptions of increased market access, increased social awareness, operationalising community champions and value chain actors, as well as dissemination of credible scientific evidence. Trust in those individuals advocating area-wide management and sterile insect technology, and interpersonal trust between neighbours, was also seen as an important factor affecting adoption of area-wide management and sterile insect technology. Barriers to acceptance included perceptions of costs and ongoing funding needs, lack of knowledge, apathy towards control of Queensland fruit fly, compatibility of area-wide management and sterile insect technology with current practices and a lack of social cooperation amongst growers. The data show a need to increase growers’ awareness of costs and benefits associated with Queensland fruit fly control and an understanding of the direct and indirect consequences of their own on-farm behaviours with respect to control. This study is the first to use a psychological lens to explore and distil grower and stakeholder attitudes towards a cooperative management approach for a pest of national significance. Results provide insight into beliefs that guide underlying biosecurity decision-making and can help improve uptake of other area-wide control techniques

Pathways from rural schools : does school VET make a difference?

This paper reports results from an NREC funded study of the medium term outcomes for youth and their communities of VET programs delivered by rural schools. The key findings relate to the outcomes of school VET programs in terms of education and training, employment, and community outcomes such as rural youth retention, and to the features that contribute to successful outcomes. Rural school VET students are less likely to continue with post school education and training in general, but more likely to go onto further vocational education and training than school non-VET students. The study reports strong links between industry area of school VET course, and further education and training, or employment, in the same industry area. It also indicates that school VET students are more likely to live in a rural area at some time during their working life. The features of rural school VET programs that influence outcomes include the purpose of the school VET program and work placements. Student motivation and gender also influence outcomes for individual students. Rural school VET courses represent pathways to related education and training for students who intend to live in a rural area during their working life, and for those who do not.<br /

Extractive resource development in a changing climate: learning the lessons from extreme weather events in Queensland, Australia

Australia is not only a location of extreme climate variability but is one of the world’s most vulnerable regions to anthropogenic climatic changes. The dependence that national and regional economies have on mining-led export earnings, combined with the resource sector’s potential to impact significantly on environments and communities during extreme weather events, makes the minerals sector an important area of focus for climate adaptation research. This project examines extreme weather events in Queensland and the direct and indirect impacts of these events on the mining industry, governments and dependent communities. The project is funded by NCCARF’s Synthesis and Integrative Research Program. This report presents findings from our research project that investigates the nature and scope of climatic extremes experienced since 2000 in Central Queensland’s coal mining region. It examines the direct and flow-on impacts of extreme events on the mining industry and other stakeholders, and the response mechanisms employed by these stakeholder groups to address key impacts. By doing so, the project’s overarching objective is to highlight both climate-influenced drought (water quantity) and flooding (water quality) challenges relevant to the future viability of the industry and local communities. Key outcomes from this research include: a better understanding of the range of existing barriers and challenges – both within and outside the mining industry – that currently prevent the resources sector from developing a coherent adaptation policy for future climatic events; improved knowledge on how lessons learnt from past experiences can inform future research directions to enhance the resilience and adaptive capacity of the resources sector to address current and future climatic perturbations; and directions for future research on climate adaptation in the resources sector based on lessons learnt from these experiences. Data for this project has been drawn from a variety of sources, including a systematic review of literature (academic sources, newspaper and other media articles, government and industry reports, and reports published from the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry); targeted interviews with representatives of state and local governments, industry, and peak regional bodies; and a series of workshops with a mix of representatives from relevant stakeholder groups active in the region

A method for benchmarking two different resilience assessment methods

Assessments of objective and subjective resilience are the main methods for understanding disaster preparedness and developing policy responses. However, the two assessment outcomes are not directly comparable. A model combining objective and subjective resilience assessments provides a better approximation of the underlying resilience. Building on previous comparisons, we have developed a robust Bayesian hierarchical model for comparing and linking these assessments. Three modeling scenarios provide the opportunity to explore the complex relationship between resilience data and explanatory variables under different conditions and prior knowledge about variables. Our strategy reasonably shares the uncertainty with the posterior distribution of all model parameters, instead of leaving all uncertainties to the variance parameter estimation, thus reducing methodological bias and providing a robust uncertainty estimation. The approach allows connecting and comparing objective and subjective resilience assessments, laying a strong foundation for developing a fully integrated resilience assessment