Management practices , current adoption & delivery options
Informal review of information by the OGBR for the MIP suggests that previous investments in natural resource management have failed to realise their potential because they have constrained the scope of delivery , or inadequately considered how those investments integrate with other programs and / or regulation . As such , the MiPs should utilise a wide range of delivery elements to help producers identify , own and implement solutions to the issues relevant to their particular set of circumstances . Examples of potential delivery elements :
• Conventional elements , including property and financial planning , technical support ( e . g . finance , livestock / pasture management , soil conservation , nutrient management ), incentive mechanisms for increased adoption or acceleration of local solutions , and importantly , rewards and recognition .
• Novel elements , e . g . structural adjustment , management transition , etc . These will need further policy analysis .
Importantly , the MIPs should ensure that elements are able to work together and integrate with existing voluntary and regulatory programs .
A summary of possible management practice and land use changes that could be delivered through the MIP is listed below , although this should not limit the scope of activities considered in the project :
• Exclude stock from high risk riparian areas and gullies .
• Establish off-stream watering points away from riparian areas .
• Revegetate riparian areas .
• Manage stocking rates based on sustainable long term carrying capacity and available forage .
• Install gully stick traps or other options to encourage re-vegetation for early / small gullies , and install snags for large gullies .
• Mechanically remediate gullies , e . g . ripping , gypsum and seeding treatment .
• Remediate eroding stream banks through engineering solutions .
• Wetland restoration .
• Transition to alternative sustainable land uses .
• Implement fully supported behavioural / attitudinal change process .
• Explore options to support land use change , including management transition and structural adjustment .
For the MIPs to work well , solutions will need to be tailored to individual circumstances and as such , the management practices outlined below will not be appropriate in all cases . Project staff will work one-on-one with producers to determine which management practices are most appropriate for their situation or propose alternative options that are not listed below . The MIPs will also build on and link in with existing activities to support adoption of management practice changes . Taking all of these factors into account , it is difficult to estimate costs for delivering management practice and land use change at this initial scoping phase .
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