Community Benchmark

Cradle Coast NRM has been learning about a key resource in the region – its people. To ensure natural resource management projects have maximum impact and to better track the results of NRM activities, the Cradle Coast NRM team commissioned a benchmarking research study to understand the current natural resource beliefs, attitudes and behaviours of Cradle Coast residents.

The study surveyed rural landholders, urban residents, stakeholder organisations, community groups and marine resource users by telephone and questionnaire at the end of 2009.

The intention is to repeat the study in future years and compare findings against the benchmark to provide a valuable guide to regional NRM activities.

Read the Executive Summary of the combined benchmark reports

Social Benchmarking Summary (70 KB)

Rural Landholders

The study found that a range of sustainable land management practices are being undertaken in the region including shelter-belt planting, fencing to control native or pest animals, soil testing and crop rotations. The top NRM issues identified by landholders were weeds, introduced pest animals, and pasture reduction through native animal grazing but the majority felt that they had the ability to address the problems with only 14% rating the issues as moderate or major.

Read the Rural Landholder benchmark report

Landholder Benchmarking Report (1474 KB)

Urban Residents

The most commonly reported environmental issues for this group were associated with water, weeds and forest management and nearly 80% of residents expressed concern about the negative impacts of climate change on themselves and their children. There was a strong level of participation in household conservation activities with more than 90% of residents regularly buying local produce and recycling or reusing household waste.

Read the Urban Resident benchmark report

Urban Residents Benchmarking Report (495 KB)

Community Groups

Fifty-eight percent of community groups in the survey had received support from Cradle Coast NRM in 2009 with the most valuable areas of support nominated as being help in developing partnerships with other organisations, access to technical advice, and assistance in applying for funding.

Read the Community Group benchmark report

Community Groups Benchmarking Report (254 KB)

Marine Resource Users

The majority of marine resource users believe the coastal areas to be healthy, with the health of these areas unchanged over the past ten years. The two most frequently reported issues affecting use of the marine resources in recent times are the occurrence of marine weeds and pests, and the illegal poaching of marine resources. Although based on a small survey number, the study found that only 18% of marine resource users had had contact with Cradle Coast NRM in the previous 12 months.

Read the Marine Resource Users benchmark report

Marine Resource Users Benchmarking Report (183 KB)

NRM Stakeholders

Interviews with Government and non-Government organisations in the natural resource management field showed that Cradle Coast NRM has been providing reports, information and advice to the majority of stakeholders. The study found that there was room for improvement in the partnerships, particularly in the areas of better communication and processes for engagement.

Read the NRM Stakeholders benchmark report

Stakeholder benchmarking report (267 KB)

The Cradle Coast NRM Benchmarking study was undertaken by Dr Mark Fenton through funding from the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust.