It is recommended that the LDC trial the use of a tailored grants approach with these characteristics, and in the longer-term( beyond current LDC funding) trial targeted stewardship payments as an extension of this approach.
RECOMMENDATION 3D: LDC TO PROVIDE SOCIAL RECOGNITION AND SUPPORT INNOVATION WITH LEADING LANDHOLDERS
It is recommended that the LDC:
� Develop a social recognition program / event for high performing landholders. This could be something like a gala dinner or an invitation-only field trip / training activity, potentially incorporating links to the new‘ Reef champions’ awards and visits to leading graziers in other parts of the GBR; and
� Consider how social recognition can more explicitly be incorporated into the LDC Demonstration and Cluster group activities.
RECOMMENDATION 4: RIGOROUSLY EVALUATE ALL INCENTIVES USED WITHIN THE LDC AND ADVOCATE FOR BETTER USE AND ACCESS TO EVALUATION REPORTS
LDC should rigorously evaluate the uptake of incentives offered. The level of investment and scale of the LDC Project provides a unique opportunity to evaluate how graziers respond to the mix of incentives on offer. As well as assessing outcomes( levels of engagement, levels of adoption and the effectiveness of gully remediation trials) evaluation should focus on learning more about‘ what works for who, and why’ i. e. for the different cohorts of land managers in the BBB.
This project has revealed the lack of systematic approaches to incentive and program evaluation and access to previous evaluation reports across GBR water quality programs. This constrains opportunities for learning and improvement. Relevant research reports provide some information, but generalise findings, are slow to produce and difficult to access. LDC should encourage Queensland and Australian Governments to facilitate better access to evaluation reports prepared for water quality programs.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO INFLUENCE LONGER-TERM OUTCOMES
The level of investment and the integrated delivery approach of the LDC project provides a unique opportunity to broker longer-term arrangements to support improved and ongoing incentives to improve water quality from grazing lands.
RECOMMENDATION 5: INSTITUTIONALISE LONG TERM APPROACHES TO CATCHMENT REPAIR
Working collaboratively with the State Government, it is recommended that the LDC Project explore options for the codesign and establishment of a governance mechanism to support the long-term planning, financing, delivery and management of significant gully erosion prevention and rehabilitation efforts. To support this, the LDC should collaboratively explore the potential to establish an enduring mechanism( e. g. such as a purpose-built Trust of some kind) to buffer the impact of short-term project funding and to allow a more systematic approach to remediation of major gully systems( including managing risk and longer-term monitoring).
RECOMMENDATION 6: INVESTIGATE COLLABORATIVE APPROACHES TO SUPPORTING BEST PRACTICE GRAZING LAND MANAGEMENT
Landholders driving change: Exploring new incentives | ix