Looking beyond the D.U.S.T. – building resilient rangeland communities
Dana Kelly A C and David Phelps B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Dana Kelly Consulting, PO Box 4868, Toowoomba East, Qld 4350, Australia.
B Chair Western Queensland Drought Committee (WQDC), PO Box 496, Longreach, Qld 4730, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: d.kelly@uq.edu.au
The Rangeland Journal 41(3) 233-250 https://doi.org/10.1071/RJ18047
Submitted: 21 April 2018 Accepted: 1 February 2019 Published: 26 April 2019
Abstract
The role of towns and small business is poorly understood, yet towns are vital for the long-term viability of communities in rural and remote Australia. This case study in the central western region of Queensland (CWQ) examines the impacts of drought on rural towns and how to build a resilient regional community and alleviate hardship. Evidence was collected during drought from town businesses through surveys, interviews and a public meeting in 2017.
Towns in CWQ are especially exposed to the risks of drought, as approximately half of the businesses are directly linked to agriculture. Townspeople are major contributors to social cohesion and resilience in rural and regional communities, which are often service and maintenance centres of nationally important infrastructure such as roads for inter-state freight transport and tourism. Drought and declining grazier incomes have led to reduced spending in towns. Populations have dropped sharply, as itinerant agricultural workers leave the region. The complex economic and social flow-on impacts of drought have resulted in lower socioeconomic resilience. The majority of community members interviewed expressed a desire to build secure livelihoods, which echoes other research where existing and new rangelands livelihoods are seen as contributing to the success of the nation, a common global desire. Local organisations in CWQ display innovative business and community strategies. Future actions need to support and build on these initiatives.
A framework with the acronym D.U.S.T. has been developed, with associated actions aimed at building resilience in these communities. D.U.S.T. is appropriate for this often-dusty region, and stands for: D. Decide to act; U. Understand the context; S. Support and develop local capacities and institutions; and T. Transform regional governance.
The key for decision-makers is to work with local people who understand the contextual complexity and local needs. Actions need to be based on principles of adaptability, equity and inclusiveness, and working with the whole of the community. Building on existing collaborations and innovations as well as transforming governance and secure funding arrangements are needed. Lessons from the communities in CWQ may help other rural and remote regions build resilience to cope with the unpredictable financial, social and environmental future.
Additional keywords: drought, collaboration, engaged governance, rural towns, transformation.
References
ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) (2011). Statistical Local Area IRSAD, SEIFA 2011. Available at: http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/2033.0.55.0012011?OpenDocument (accessed 22 June 2018).ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) (2015). Definitions and data sources for small business in Australia: a quick guide. Geoff Gilfillian, 1st December 2015. Available at: https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp1516/Quick_Guides/Data (accessed 27 June 2017).
ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) (2016). The Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) Remoteness Structure. Available at: http://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/D3310114.nsf/home/remoteness+structure (accessed 22 June 2018).
ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) (2017). Australian Bureau of Statistics census data. Available at: http://www.abs.gov.au/ (accessed 21 June 2017).
ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) (n.d.). Region Summary. Available at: http://stat.data.abs.gov.au/ (accessed 10 April 2017).
AgForce (2016). Rural Debt and Drought Taskforce: Response to call for submissions. AgForce, Brisbane, Australia.
Alston, M., and Kent, J. (2004). Social Impacts of Drought: A report to NSW Agriculture. Centre for Rural Social Research, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW.
Australian Government (2017). Regional and community programs: Drought Communities Program. Available at: http://regional.gov.au/regional/programs/drought-communities.aspx (accessed 20 March 2018).
Bahadur, A. (2016). Reimagining Resilience: Bringing resilience, transformation and vulnerability closer for tackling climate change. Asian Cities Climate Change Resilience Network (ACCCRN) Monitoring the Field: February 2013. Working Paper for the Rockefeller Foundation, January 2016, New York.
Botterill, L., and Wilhite, D. A. (Eds) (2005). ‘From Disaster Response to Risk Management: Australia’s National Drought Policy.’ (Springer: Dordrecht, The Netherlands.)
Brown, V. A., and Lambert, J. (2013). ‘Collective Learning for Transformational Change: A Guide to Collaborative Action.’ (Routledge: London, New York.)
Brown, K., and Westaway, E. (2011). Agency, Capacity, and Resilience to Environmental Change: Lessons from Human Development, Well-Being, and Disasters. Annual Review of Environment and Resources 36, 321–342.
| Agency, Capacity, and Resilience to Environmental Change: Lessons from Human Development, Well-Being, and Disasters.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Brown, V. A., Harris, J., and Russell, J. (2010). ‘Tackling Wicked Problems: Through the Transdisciplinary Imagination.’ (Earthscan Publications: London.)
Caniglia, F., and Trotman, A. (2011). A Silver Lining: Community development, crisis and belonging: exploring the role of community development in Queensland’s recovery from the January 2011 floods. Report for Under 1 Roof: Home at last: community in action. (Under 1 Roof: Brisbane.)
Central West Hospital and Health Service (2014). The Health of the west 2014–2024: Population and health profile. Central West Hospital and Health Service, Longreach, QLD. Available at: http://www.centralwest.health.qld.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/population_profile.pdfc (accessed 22 June 2017).
Chaney, F. (2015). Plenary address. In: ‘Proceedings of the Australian Rangelands Society Biennial Conference’. Alice Springs, NT, Australia.
Cole, J. (2016). Pathways to the future: building local strategies for regional resilience and sustainable development in central west Queensland. Synthesis Report of Community Workshops (Barcaldine, Boulia, Barcoo, Blackall-Tambo, Longreach), October 2015–February 2016.
Drought Policy Review Expert Social Panel (2008). It’s about people: Changing perspectives on dryness: a report to government by an Expert Social Panel on Dryness. (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry: Canberra.)
Edwards, B., Gray, M., and Hunter, B. (2014). The impact of drought on mental health in rural and regional Australia. Social Indicators Research 121, 1–29.
Herbert-Cheshire, L. (2000). Contemporary strategies for rural community development in Australia: a governmentality perspective. Journal of Rural Studies 16, 203–215.
| Contemporary strategies for rural community development in Australia: a governmentality perspective.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Higgins, A., Watson, I., Chilcott, C., Zhou, M., García-Flores, R., Eady, S., McFallan, S., Prestwidge, D., and Laredo, L. (2013). A framework for optimising capital investment and operations in livestock logistics. The Rangeland Journal 35, 181–191.
| A framework for optimising capital investment and operations in livestock logistics.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kelly, D. M. (2005). Power and Participation: Participatory Resource Management in South-West Queensland. PhD Thesis, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.
Kelly, D. M. (2018). Beyond the Dust. Report for the Western Queensland Drought Committee. WQDC Longreach, Australia.
Kelly, D., Phelps, D. and Coombes, J. (2017). Drought: rain…cash…population…resilience. In: ‘Proceedings 19th Australian Rangelands Conference’. Port Augusta, South Australia.
Kerin, J., and Botterill, L. C. (2013). Institutionalising the Science–Policy interface in Australia. In: ‘Drought, Risk Management, and Policy’. (Eds L. C. Botterill and J. Cockfield.) pp. 87–104.
Kinnon and Co. (2016). Richard Kinnon, Kinnon and Co Longreach: Ten Questions. Available at: https://adventuresallaround.com/richard-kinnon-kinnon-co-longreach-ten-questions/ (accessed 20 Feb 2018).
Kotey, B. (2014). Small business innovation in the hostile environment of Australia’s drought stricken rural communities (Report). Australasian Journal of Regional Studies 20, 325.
Maclean, K., Cuthill, M., and Ross, H. (2014). Six attributes of social resilience Journal of Environmental Planning and Management 57, 144–156.
| Six attributes of social resilienceCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Maclean, K., Cuthill, M., Ross, H., and Witt, B. (2017). Converging disciplinary understandings of social aspects of resilience. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management 60, 519–537.
| Converging disciplinary understandings of social aspects of resilience.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Marshall, G., and Stafford Smith, M. (2010). Natural resources governance for the drylands of the Murray-Darling Basin. The Rangeland Journal 32, 267–282.
| Natural resources governance for the drylands of the Murray-Darling Basin.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Martin-Breen, P. and Anderies, J. M. (2011). ‘Resilience: A Literature Review.’ (The Rockefeller Foundation: New York.) Available at: www.rockefellerfoundation.org/blog/resilience-literature-review (accessed 14 July 2017)
Maru, Y. T., McAllister, R. J., and Stafford Smith, M. (2007). Modelling community interactions and social capital dynamics: The case of regional and rural communities of Australia. Agricultural Systems 92, 179–200.
Maru, Y. T., Stafford Smith, M., Sparrow, A., Pino, P. F., and Dube, O. P. (2014). A linked vulnerability and resilience framework for adaptation pathways in remote and disadvantaged communities. Global Economic Change 28, 337–350.
| A linked vulnerability and resilience framework for adaptation pathways in remote and disadvantaged communities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Miles, R. L., Hyland, P., Soosay, C., Greer, L., O’Dea, G., Alcock, D., and Kinnear, S. (2007). Effect of drought on small businesses in regional Queensland: implications for sustainable regional development. In: ‘Changing Regions: The Road to Success: Proceedings of the 11th SEGRA Conference’. 17–19 September 2007, Wollongong, Illawarra Region, NSW. pp. 1–11. Brisbane, Qld.
Morton, R. (2017). Economic and social forces emptying out distant towns. The Australian, 1st March 2017.
NRM Regions (2017). Resilient Communities. Available at: http://nrmregionsaustralia.com.au/resilient-communities-1000s-of-local-solutions/ (accessed 20 July 2017).
OECD (2006). New Rural Policy: linking up for growth. Available at: https://www.oecd.org/rural/rural./New-Rural-Policy.pdf (accessed 04 Feb 2018).
OECD (2016a). ‘OECD Regional Outlook 2016: Productive Regions for Inclusive Societies.’ (OECD Publishing: Paris.) Available at: http://www.oecd.org/gov/oecd-regional-outlook-2016-9789264260245-en.htm (accessed 1 March 2018)
OECD (2016b). Regional development: Policies to promote catching up. In: ‘OECD Regional Outlook 2016: Productive Regions for Inclusive Societies’. (OECD Publishing: Paris.)
OECD (2017). ‘Small, Medium Strong Trends in SME Performance and Business Conditions.’ (OECD Publishing: Paris.)
OECD (2018). Declaration on Strengthening SMEs and Entrepreneurship for Productivity and Inclusive Growth. In: ‘OECD Ministerial Conference on SMEs’. 23 February 2018, Mexico City. (OECD: Paris.) Available at: http://www.oecd.org/cfe/smes/ministerial/SME-Ministerial-Declaration-ENG.pdf (accessed 1 March 2018)
Perkins, I. (2013). ‘Wild Dog Check Fence Feasibility Study.’ (LPM Creative Rural Solutions, Stanthorpe, QLD) Available at: http://www.southwestnrm.org.au/sites/default/files/uploads /ihub/wild-dog-check-fencefeasibility-study-october-2013.pdf (accessed 2 July 2017).
Phelps, D., and Kelly, D. M. (2019). Building drought resilient rangelands: lessons from central-western Queensland. The Rangeland Journal 41, .
Pritchett, L., Woolcock, M., and Andrews, M. (2010). Capability Traps? The Mechanisms of Persistent Implementation Failure. CGD Working Paper 234. Center for Global Development, Washington, DC. Available at: http://www.cgdev.org/content/publications/detail/1424651 (accessed 1 Feb 2018).
Productivity Commission (2017). Transitioning Regional Economies, Initial Report. Productivity Commission, Canberra, Australia.
Queensland Government (2017). The Queensland Strategy for Disaster Resilience: making Queensland the most disaster resilient state in Australia. Minister for Local Government, Community Recovery and Resilience, 2017.
Queensland Government Statistician’s Office (QGSO) (2018). Queensland Regional Profiles – Custom Region, State of Queensland (Queensland Treasury), Brisbane.
RAPAD (Remote Area Planning and Development Board) (2017). RAPAD Pathfinder Project: Final Report July 2017. Available at: https://www.rapad.com.au/assets/Documents/Media-Releases/RAPAD-Pathfinder-Report-July-2017.pdf (accessed 20 July 2018a).
RAPAD (Remote Area Planning and Development Board) (n.d.). RAPAD Region. Available at: http://www.rapad.com.au/maps (accessed 10 April 2017).
Regional Australia Institute (2013). Optimising regional investment: Opportunities for reform, innovation and efficiency. Submission to Commonwealth Government Commission of Audit 2013, Canberra, December 2013. Available at: http://www.regionalaustralia.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Commonwealth-Commission-of-Audit-Submission-Regional-Australia-Institute-20131.pdf (accessed 1 February 2018).
Regional Development Australia (2013). An Overview of Food and Fibre Industries in Central Queensland. (Regional Development Australia Fitzroy and Central West Inc.: Rockhampton.) Available at: http://rdafcw.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Food-and-Fibre-Report-Dec2013.pdf (accessed 10 April 2017)
REMPLAN (2017). Economic data created. Available at: http://www.remplan.com.au/ (accessed 4 June 2017).
Ross, H., Cuthill, M., Maclean, K., Jansen, D., and Witt, B. (2010). ‘Understanding, Enhancing and Managing for Social Resilience at the Regional Scale: Opportunities in North Queensland.’ (Reef and Rainforest Research Centre, Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility: Cairns, Qld.)
Sartore, G. M., Kelly, B., Stain, H., Albrecht, G., and Higginbotham, N. (2008). Control, uncertainty, and expectations for the future: a qualitative study of the impact of drought on a rural Australian community. Rural and Remote Health 8, 950.
| 18702570PubMed |
Schwarz, I., and McRae-Williams, P. M. (2009a). Water Reform and the Resilience of Small Business People in Drought-Affected Agricultural Communities. Rural Society 19, 199–210.
| Water Reform and the Resilience of Small Business People in Drought-Affected Agricultural Communities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Schwarz, I., and McRae-Williams, P. M. (2009b). Does major regional infrastructure influence the resilience of a rural community? In: ‘Proceedings of the 10th National Rural Health Conference’. Cairns, Qld, 17–20 May 2009.
Stafford Smith, M., and Cribb, J. (2009). ‘Dry Times: Blueprint for a Red Land.’ (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne.)
Stafford Smith, M., and Huigen, J. (2009). From desert syndrome to desert system: developing a science of desert living. Dialogue. Academy of the Social Sciences 28, 8–18.
Stafford Smith, M., Moran, M., and Seemann, K. (2008). The ‘viability’ and resilience of communities and settlements in desert Australia. The Rangeland Journal 30, 123–135.
| The ‘viability’ and resilience of communities and settlements in desert Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Stoeckl, N., Stanley, O., Brown, V., and Stoeckl, W. (2007). Regional Economic Multipliers in Australia’s Tropical Savannas. Report for the Tropical Savannas CRC, May 2007, Townsville, Qld.
TMR (Transport and Main Roads Department) (2018). Maps: Multi-combination routes and zones in Queensland. Available at: https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/business-industry/Heavy-vehicles/Multi-combination-vehicles/Maps (accessed 7 March 2018).
Turhan, E., Zografos, C., and Kallis, G. (2015). Adaptation as biopolitics: Why state policies in Turkey do not reduce the vulnerability of seasonal agricultural workers to climate change. Global Environmental Change 31, 296–306.
| Adaptation as biopolitics: Why state policies in Turkey do not reduce the vulnerability of seasonal agricultural workers to climate change.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
United Nations (2017). UN Aid Chief: 20 Million People in 4 Countries Face Starvation, Famine, in VOA News, 10 March 2017. Available at: https://www.voanews.com/a/twenty-million-people-four-countries-face-starvation-famine-un-aid-chief-says/3760816.html (accessed 1 April 2017).
Walker, B., and Salt, D. (2006). ‘Resilience Thinking: Sustaining Ecosystems and People in a Changing World.’ (Island Press: Washington, DC.)
Walker, B. W., Porter, D. J., and Marsh, I. (2012). Fixing the Hole in Australia’s Heartland: How Government needs to work in remote Australia. Report for Desert Knowledge Australia, Alice Springs, NT. Available at: http://www.desertknowledge.com.au/Files/Fixing-the-hole-in-Australia-s-Heartland.aspx (accessed 19 June 2017).
Woinarski, J., and Lewis, D. (2017). ‘My Country, Our Outback Voices from the Land on Hope and Change in Australia’s Heartland.’ (The Pew Charitable Trusts: Washington, DC.)
