Land Administration in the Rangelands: What for, Who for and How?

Abstract

The path of change in land administration practices from that which had the exploitation of pastoral resources by domestic stock as its principal objective to a position where administration is required to take a more holistic view of the management of rangelands for a wide range of uses is discussed in this paper. Although historically administration has been generally slow to react to changing operating environments, a varying degree of legislative and behavioural changes have occurred in response to a wide range of influences. These influences include: objective information on rangeland resources; complementary legislation affecting the use of these resources; new Government programs directed at improving land management; a developing awareness of the value of rangeland for purposes other than grazing domestic animals; and the economic difficulties facing the grazing industries. With major changes and uncertainties surrounding rangeland use, we suggest that administrators themselves must define their objectives clearly in terms of the needs of all land users, within a framework of sustainable land use. This work can best be done within new networks and partnerships involving the relevant agencies and groups. By defining acceptable criteria and decision rules within these structures, administrators can focus more on the quality of the process in land administration and measuring their performance, rather than regulating for their defined desirable outcome. Finally, we recognise that the evaluation of administrative performance is an area that requires urgent attention.