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RIRDC Completed Projects in 2006-2007 & Research in Progress as at June 2007
To Human Capital, Communications and Information Systems Completed Projects
3.7 Human Capital, Communications and Information Systems – Research in Progress Project No Project Title Researcher Phone Organisation 1. Information and communication systems
RMI-16A Evaluating the impact of ICTs on the livelihood of rural communities A/Prof Mohini Singh, Dr Alemayehu Molla (03) 9925 1355 RMIT University 3. Rural communities and social issues
BCG-3A Critical breaking point? Understanding farming families’ pressures, plans and needs Dr Lauren Rickards (03) 5492 2787 Birchip Cropping Group UNE-101A Revisiting missed opportunities: a re-evaluation of women’s contribution to agriculture A/Prof Alison Sheridan (02) 6773 2304 University of New England UTS-10A New immigrants in regional and rural Australia: attraction and retention Prof Jock Collins (UTS) and Dr Branka Krivokapic-Skoko (CSU) (02) 9514 7720 University of Technology, Sydney and Charles Sturt University 4. Policies and institutions
UWA-99A Regional development, diversification and addressing the rural labour shortage Prof Matthew Tonts (08) 6488 7329 University of Western Australia 5. Farm health and safety
US-141A Farm safety studies A/Prof Lyn Fragar (02) 6752 8210 Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety US-148A Effectiveness of risk control measures to reduce occupational exposure to pesticides A/Prof Lyn Fragar (02) 6752 8210 Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety WDH-2J Sustainable farming families – building and extending our future Susan Brumby (03) 5551 8464 Western District Health Service 8. Communications
ABB-9A Heywire – The ABC gives regional youth a voice Justine McSweeney (03) 9626 1861 Australian Broadcasting Corporation 9. Program development
AGL-9A Peri-urban issues: Is there a role for RIRDC and what is their ‘space’ Michael Clarke (02) 9817 5888 AgEconPlus Pty Ltd
3.7 Human Capital, Communications and Information Systems
– Research in ProgressProject No Project Title Researcher Phone Organisation 10. Capacity Building for innovation in rural industries – Cooperative Venture
DRD-8A On the fast-track: Bringing capacity building research and practice together Dr Ruth Nettle (03) 8344 4581 Dairy Australia GSA-2A Maximising the connection between R&D providers and agribusiness Gordon Stone (07) 4615 2255 Gordon Stone and Associates HAS-12A Cooperative Venture for Capacity Building evaluation project Jan Paul van Moort (02) 9241 5655 Hassall & Associates JMA-1A Incorporating CVCB outputs into member programs John McKenzie (02) 6366 5000 John McKenzie & Associates NAT-3A Communication services to the Cooperative Venture for Capacity Building Anne Currey 0414 878 175 Naturally Resourceful Pty ltd UNE-91A Nesting community-based NRM for regional accountability and grassroots cooperation Dr GR Marshall (02) 6773 3250 University of New England UQ-126A Synthesising policy implications from CVCB program Dr Michael Cuthill (07) 3381 1278 University of Queensland UWA-92A The roles for capacity building in regional NRM David Pannell (08) 9842 0820 University of Western Australia
RIRDC Research in Progress – 1. Information and communication systems
Project Title Evaluating the impact of ICTs on the livelihood of rural communities RIRDC Project No.: RMI-16A Start Date: 14 Sep 06 Finish Date: 30 Nov 08 Researcher: A/Prof Mohini Singh, Dr Alemayehu Molla Organisation: RMIT University Phone: 03 9925 1355 Fax: 03 9925 5850 Email: mohini.singh@rmit.edu.au; alemayehu.molla@rmit.edu.au Strategies The project aims to: 1. Evaluate the impact of three applications of information and communications technology (ICT) – e-learning, e-government and e-commerce – on the livelihoods of rural communities in Australia. 2. Assess the extent these popular applications have contributed to improvements in rural communities' access to government services, online education programs and online business opportunities.
3. Assess improvements on the livelihood of rural communities from e-learning, e-government and e-commerce.
4. Identify socio-technical, institutional and digital divide issues for ICT applications in rural Australia.
5. Determine a strategy for reducing the digital divide gap and develop a framework for maximising the impact of ICT on citizens living in rural Australia.
Current Progress The project is progressing well. Since the last report in November 2006, more literature review has been completed, including more recent academic publications. With new issues identified from literature, the research framework was further refined to include issues relevant to rural communities and electronic applications. In addition, a wider pool of government sponsored e-learning and e-government programs have identified and profiled. The data collection protocol was finalised and is now ready for pilot testing. An ethics application to conduct the pilot and main study is in the final stage of preparation and will be submitted to RMIT’s Business Portfolio Human Research Ethics Sub-Committee. The research team (Mohini Singh and Alemayehu Molla assisted by the research assistant) are currently mapping the e-learning and e-government programs identified to specific rural communities. This will help identify the evaluation criteria for establishing the impact of the initiatives on the livelihood of the communities. The team is also identifying and contacting community leaders to establish contacts for interviews with community members.
At RMIT University, there is continual support for this project. The research team is sharing experiences and methodology with researchers at RMIT’s Global Cities Research Institute, who have experience with a number of community sustainability projects both locally and internationally. The School of Business Information Technology is continuing it support by providing the necessary infrastructure and staff time.
RIRDC Research in Progress – 3. Rural communities and social issues
Project Title Critical breaking point? Understanding farming families’ pressures, plans and needs RIRDC Project No.: BCG-3A Start Date: 31-May-2007 Finish Date: 30-Sep-2008 Researcher: Dr Lauren Rickards Organisation: Birchip Cropping Group Phone: 03 5492 2787 Fax: 03 5492 2753 Email: info@bcg.org.au Strategies To gain a better understanding of the pressures upon Australian producers and their families, how they are responding, and their plans and needs for the future. Current Progress This project commenced in June 2007.
RIRDC Research in Progress – 3. Rural communities and social issues
Project Title Revisiting missed opportunities: a re-evaluation of women’s contribution to agriculture RIRDC Project No.: UNE-101A Start Date: 29-Jun-2007 Finish Date: 15-Nov-2008 Researcher: A/Prof Alison Sheridan Organisation: University of New England Phone: 02 6773 2304 Fax: 02 677 3914 Email: Strategies Strategies of the research: 1. Evaluate outcomes of original Missed Opportunities Report and subsequent implemented strategies. 2. Update the economic modeling of the value of women's contribution to the agriculture sector.
3. Documenting women's roles in rural and regional Australia by occupation and industry.
4. Assess the capacity of existing data collections to allow for the on-going monitoring of women's diverse economic activities in rural and regional Australia.
5. Determine the extent and nature of the barriers and cultural and socio-economic factors that still impact women's contribution to rural and regional businesses and services, especially their participation in innovation, leadership and decision making.
6. Determine the strategic, long-term capacity-building initiatives required for all levels and types of leadership for women in rural and regional Australia.
Current Progress This project commenced in June 2007.
RIRDC Research in Progress – 3. Rural communities and social issues
Project Title New immigrants in regional and rural Australia: attraction and retention RIRDC Project No.: UTS-10A Start Date: 30 Jan 2007 Finish Date: 30 Jan 2010 Researcher: Prof Jock Collins (UTS), Dr Branka Krivokapic-Skoko (CSU) Organisation: University of Technology, Sydney (UTS); Charles Sturt University (CSU) Phone: (02) 9514 7720 Fax: Email: jock.collins@uts.edu.au Strategies Recent (2003) changes to Australian immigration policy encourage new immigrants to settle in regional and rural areas. This is a very significant change that has the potential to benefit rural and regional Australia, yet we know very little about new immigrants in the Australian 'bush'. This research project aims to redress this and aims to: 1. Review the national and regional dimensions of the Regional Sponsorship Migration Scheme and the Regional Establish Businesses in Australia programme. 2. Explore the experience of recent migrants in regional and rural areas, including those who are immigrant entrepreneurs, immigrant professionals and those who are skilled and unskilled immigrants.
3. Review comparative international lessons from Canada, a country with much longer experience in attracting new immigrants to regional and rural areas.
4. Explore the policy implications of this research and communicate the results to relevant policy stakeholders at federal, state and local government level.
Current Progress The contract between RIRDC and UTS for this research grant was signed on 31 January 2007. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC, formerly DIMIA) has committed $10,000 in-kind for three years to the project. The first Steering Committee Meeting with RIRDC and DIAC was held in Canberra on 22 February 2007. It was decided at the Steering Committee Meeting that a survey of skilled immigrants in the Riverina region of NSW, conducted by DIAC in 2006, be adopted for this project.
Later this year, 3000 surveys will be posted out, using DIAC mailing and contact lists, to get 1000 responses that will be Stage 1 of the longitudinal survey which will provide contacts willing to engage in stages 2 (2008) and 3 (2009).
After this meeting an application was made to the UTS Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) for approval to begin the fieldwork for the research project. I was informed by the UTS HREC by email on 18 April 2007 that ethics clearance had been granted for the project subject to a few points of clarification. We are now in a position to begin the fieldwork for this project.
RIRDC Research in Progress – 4. Policies and institutions
Project Title Regional development, diversification and addressing the rural labour shortage RIRDC Project No.: UWA-99A Start Date: 1/08/06 Finish Date: 1/07/08 Researcher: Professor Matthew Tonts Organisation: University of Western Australia Phone: 08 6488 7329 Fax: 08 6488 7995 Email: mtonts@cyllene.uwa.edu.au Strategies This project will investigate the dynamics of skilled labour shortages in rural Australia and identify strategies for resolving this issue. It will develop a national spatial analysis of rural labour market trends between 1996 and 2006, identify current and emerging skilled labour shortages, assess the impacts on six case study regions, and identify solutions to the problem. Current Progress The first part this research has involved developing a national spatial analysis of rural labour market trends between 1996 and 2006. This spatial analysis has involved a number of phases. Firstly, a detailed review of national and international literature was conducted to identify labour market drivers in rural areas, and assess the usefulness of methodologies of previous studies on labour market dynamics. The literature review also focused on previous policy responses, the drivers of these responses and the spatial impact of these responses on Australia’s rural labour markets.
Following this review, a synoptic analysis of labour market trends using customised data from the ABS was conducted for the years 1996 and 2001. From this analysis, maps were constructed to illustrate relative spatial trends in labour force characteristics. The synoptic analysis and maps will be completed to the year 2006 when the ABS releases the 2006 census data (round two release).
The survey for the detailed case study research has been developed and piloted in the southwest region of Western Australia. Over 1500 surveys were sent out during this initial stage. Currently, the research team are preparing to distribute this survey nationally (within the case study regions).
RIRDC Research in Progress – 6. Farm health and safety
Project Title Farm safety studies RIRDC Project No.: US-141A Start Date: 15/10/2005 Finish Date: 30/11/2007 Researcher: A/Prof Lyn Fragar Organisation: Australian Centre for Agricultural Heath and Safety
The University of SydneyPhone: 02 6752-8210 Fax: 02 6752-6639 Email: lfragar@health.usyd.edu.au Strategies To establish the parameters for researching enterprise OHS risk factors and personal health related to work and life in agricultural production The output from this project will be in terms of reports and published papers, specifically:
(i) Technical reports for publication and posting on the RIRDC website: (i) Australian Farm Fatalities (July 2000 to December 2004)
(i) Farm Injury Optimal Dataset
(i) Occupational Health and Safety on farms in Australia
(i) Older Farmers and Sugar Cane Chartbooks and updated versions of existing Chartbooks
(i) Practical Guidelines publications
(i) Mental health and wellbeing and its impact on farms in Australia
(ii) Published papers in peer-reviewed professional journals
(iii) A Translation Plan to be developed in association with Farmsafe Australia to ensure that relevant findings are integrated with current OHS programs and rural health service plans that will include:
a) Short reports in lay language for use in newsletters and websites (iv) Publication of Sugar Cane packageb) Presentations at relevant conferences and industry forums
(v) Report of perceptions, attitudes and behaviours of participants in longitudinal study
(vi) Report on pathways to adoption of OHS on farms
Current Progress Production of farm safety reports The National Farm Injury Data Centre has produced, or is in final stages of producing the following:
1. Chartbooks that succinctly display key national information on farm health and safety status:
2. Guidance notes: A growing number of farm safety guidance note and guidelines are now being produced by a range of agencies using data and information generated by the National Farm Injury Data Centre and Collection. A new guideline, Grain Handling Safety – A Practical Guide, will be ready for publication in early June 2007. ·1 Occupational Health and Safety Risk in the Australian Dairy Industry – The Facts ·2 Health and Safety of Older Farmers in Australia – The Facts
·3 ATV Injury on Australian Farms – The Facts
·4 The mental health of the people in Australian Agriculture – The Facts (to be submitted in august 2007)
·5 Traumatic deaths in Australian agriculture – The Facts.
Research reports
A revised edition of the Farm Injury Optimal Data Set, Version 3, is being edited and will be available in July 2007. This guideline is used by researchers and others engaged in collecting and collating farm injury data, and ensures that data is useful for improving health and safety in the agricultural industries.
Progress with implementation of longitudinal study
A study on farm population of people is being established who have agreed to participate in a longitudinal or ongoing study of enterprise OHS risk factors and personal health related to work and life in agricultural production. This project will:
Although progress is slower than originally planned, 250 farm enterprise subjects have been recruited to the study and have completed the Phase 1 survey. A total of 500 farms will be recruited. A preliminary analysis of data has been undertaken that shows that the study design appears to be robust and suitable for continuation into the future. ·1 Define a baseline measure of prevalence in farm enterprises of key OHS risk factors ·2 Identify and describe the costs and benefits associated with adoption of OHS risk management action
·3 Describe levels of emotional wellbeing and stress of farm population participants and the impact of stress on the farm, the family and individuals
·4 Provide information in relation to changes in risk factors in following years in the study population.
RIRDC Research in Progress – 6. Farm health and safety
Project Title Effectiveness of risk control measures to reduce occupational exposure to pesticides RIRDC Project No.: US-148A Start Date: 01-Apr-2007 Finish Date: 30-Nov-2008 Researcher: A/Prof Lyn Fragar Organisation: Australian Centre for Agricultural Heath and Safety
The University of SydneyPhone: 02 6752-8210 Fax: 02 6752-6639 Email: lfragar@health.usyd.edu.au Strategies To assist farmers in Australian agricultural industries to effectively reduce risk of harmful exposure to pesticides by investigating and reporting on: 1. How well label safety instructions of pesticides registered for use in Australia align with best practice in OHS risk management 2. How well pesticides handlers in key industries comply with label specifications for safety and what are the impediments to compliance
3. The availability and accessibility to farmers of the range of effective personal protective clothing and equipment for use when handling pesticides
Current Progress The project is being undertaken in three phases: 1. Examination of pesticide labels to determine how labels support farmers in compliance with OHS best practice. Preliminary ethical clearance has been sought. Development of protocols for Phase 1 is under way and project personnel are being identified to work on the project.2. A consumer product and market research to determine the availability, type and suitability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for sale/ available to farmers for use when using agricultural pesticides,
3. Conduct of focus group research to determine use patterns of PPE by farmers when using agricultural pesticides.
RIRDC Research in Progress – 6. Farm health and safety
Project Title Sustainable farming families - building and extending our future RIRDC Project No.: WDH-2J Start Date: 1/7/05 Finish Date: 30/6/07 Researcher: Ms Susan Brumby Organisation: Western District Health Service Phone: 03 5551 8464 Fax: 03 5572 5371 Email: susan.brumby@wdhs.net Strategies To expand the Sustainable Farming Families work into other industries establishing the basis for farming family health research in other agricultural industries and the opportunity for training other rural health professionals. Current Progress Year two cotton workshops were completed in May 2007, and sugar workshop in February 2007. Whilst recruitment in the initial year in the sugar industry was difficult they were very successful with Ayr having a 100% return in year 2. The Ingham workshop was caught in the February flooding which impacted on attendance. In total 79% returned (19/24) for both sugar workshops and an 86% return – 32/37 participants for cotton participants. Both the CRDC and the SRDC were represented at the year 2 workshops. Action planning is an important part of the SFF program and 100% of sugar actions plans were returned and 97% from the cotton industry.
Evaluation of the program has indicated a high level of satisfaction from the participants with an indication of interest for further programs for their industry.
Training of an additional four rural health professional occurred in the first year, however in year 2, staff were unable to be released, had changed jobs or were unable to attend, due to serious illness. However, good links with the Burdekin Health service remained.
RIRDC Research in Progress – 8. Communication
Project Title Heywire – The ABC gives regional youth a voice RIRDC Project No.: ABB-7A Start Date: 1/07/2006 Finish Date: 30/06/2007 Researcher: Justine McSweeney Organisation: Australian Broadcasting Corporation Phone: 03 9626 1861 Fax: 03 9626 1633 Email: mcsweeney.justine@abc.net.au Strategies ·1 To give regional/rural youth an opportunity to directly express their views and aspirations to the country at large on ABC Radio ·2 To raise awareness of issues facing regional and rural youth
·3 To provide a unique opportunity for personal development for young community leaders
·4 To communicate the Heywire activities to all youth and the broader community.
Current Progress Launch of Heywire 2006: -0 media plan & promotion of the competition including ABC on-air promotions Selection of Winners:-1 local community promotion of competition, update of web site
-2 distribution of materials to schools, universities, colleges, industry, government, community organisations
-3 processing of entries
-0 resourcing local judging panels Production of Heywire stories:-1 selection of 39 regional winners
-2 commencement of ongoing liaison with all winners
-3 announcement of winners
-0 record winning story in situ Program notes on all stories and list of issues:-1 post-production of stories
-2 summarise issues raised through stories
-3 mastering process and production of CD for distribution to ABC regions, programs, networks, media and community radio.
-0 Transcripts and story audio on website Broadcast of Heywire Stories:-1 Compilation of broadcast ideas to share with other program-makers
-4 release of Heywire stories within ABC for broadcast Heywire Youth Issues Forum:-5 intensive summer broadcast of Heywire stories followed by stories as suit programs
-0 plan and implement program and events Wrap up and review Heywire 2006:-1 liaison with stakeholders
-2 confirm speakers and other support people
-3 arrange travel for winners, speakers, facilitators, staff
-4 arrange accommodation and facility needs with the AIS
-5 organise events and dinners, including invitation lists
-6 selection & design of merchandise
-7 produce seminar kit for winners
-8 media promotion of event
-9 implementation of Forum
-0 Process feedback forms -1 Letter to winners, photos, etc.
-0 meet with stakeholders to review Heywire 2006-07
-1 publish issues and outcomes
-2 recommendations for 2007-08
RIRDC Research in Progress – 9. Program development
Project Title Peri-urban issues: Is there a role for RIRDC and what is their ‘space’? RIRDC Project No.: AGL-9A Start Date: 01-Jun-2007 Finish Date: 31-Dec-2007 Researcher: Michael Clarke Organisation: AgEconPlus Pty Ltd Phone: 02 9817 5888 Fax: Email: Strategies The project will provide an up to date assessment of what are the agricultural issues, who is working in this area (eg LWA, BRS), what are the gaps, any future role for RIRDC and a pointer towards a communication strategy/research plan for this sector. Current Progress This project commenced in June 2007.
RIRDC Research in Progress – 10. Capacity Building for Innovation in Rural Industries – Cooperative Venture
Project Title On the fast-track: Bringing capacity building research and practice together RIRDC Project No.: DRD-8A Start Date: 1 Dec 2006 Finish Date: 15 Jan 2008 Researcher: Dr Ruth Nettle Organisation: Dairy Australia Phone: (03) 8344 4581 Fax: (03) 8344 5037 Email: ranettle@unimelb.edu.au Strategies The project aims to test and refine CVCB research findings in the key result areas of ‘What works and why?’ and ‘Fostering participation?’ amongst CVCB member organizations. The project focuses on current issues in capacity building of member organizations and will bring together key capacity building project managers and practitioners across at least five CVCB member organizations to enhance their capacity to choose (invest), design, support and evaluate their capacity building programs.
Current Progress ·1 CVCB members have been involved with the design, development and delivery of the project and have nominated participants and mentors from their industries for involvement in the project. ·2 The project team have developed a conceptual framework of key elements of capacity building to assist managers and practitioners locate the research of the CVCB to their capacity building issues and needs as managers and/or practitioners. This conceptual framework is comprised of the key elements of capacity building: outcomes, engagement (stakeholders, target audiences and communities of practice), design and delivery and evaluation. These key elements are supported by thinking about the tools, techniques and indicators that need to accompany capacity building initiatives.
·3 A workbook and a two day workshop based on this framework have been developed and delivered in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne involving forty three (43) participants and twenty (20) mentors from the sugar, dairy, cotton, wool, livestock, natural resource management, irrigation, university and community sectors. The participants in the project represent six of the member organisations and all states except South Australia are represented. These workshops have introduced the findings of the CVCB and related them to the needs and issues of participants, supported participants to develop an action plan for improvement in their capacity building approaches (focusing on the elements of capacity building introduced through the framework) and matched them with an appropriate mentor to support their action plan over the next six months and encourage the use of the CVCB research.
·4 Participants rated the workshops highly in terms of usefulness and effectiveness and indicated that they are now better able to apply capacity building principles and practices to their work. Participants valued the way they were matched with mentors and are excited to be mentored over the life of the project.
·5 The progress of the mentoring component of the project and the issues of mentors are being captured and supported by the mentor developer role in the project.
·6 Participants are looking to improve productivity, profitability and resilience of their industries and communities through their projects and are seeking to improve their engagement, design, delivery and evaluation strategies through the project. A mid-project review of progress of the participants is planned for August that will determine how far this has been achieved and how the project and mentoring is working.
·7 A final workshop to review the progress of participants and results of the project will be held in December 2007.
·8 The evaluation and communication plans developed for the project are on-track.
Practitioners are people involved in supporting innovation and change in industries. They include farm/rural advisers and consultants, project officers and managers/investors, project designers and extension staff.
RIRDC Research in Progress – 10. Capacity Building for Innovation in Rural Industries – Cooperative Venture
Project Title Maximising the connection between R&D providers and agribusiness RIRDC Project No.: GSA-2A Start Date: 23 Aug 2005 Finish Date: 30 Apr 2008 Researcher: Gordon Stone Organisation: Gordon Stone and Associates Phone: (07) 4615 2255 Fax: (07) 4615 2330 Email: gordon@cdi.net.au Strategies Establish and test a management system that will facilitate the transfer of RDE through Agribusiness to farmers. Current Progress The CVCB briefing seminar on 27 November 2006 summarised key issues from work to date. Interest centred on the proposed agribusiness segmentation, categories of agribusiness clients, motivation of agribusiness and their clients, the value of a ‘whole of RDC approach to agribusiness interaction’ and ideas on the way forward. It was considered essential to fully engage interested RDCs in a strategic future approach to agribusiness relationship development, so the Project Leader addressed the April CVCB meeting. It was agreed that a CVCB Agribusiness Working Group be formed to discuss the key issues and refine the project milestones. A working Group meeting with MLA, GRDC, CRDC, LWA, DA and CVCB representatives was convened in May to agree on the way forward.
The project process was modified into five steps:
1. Review the interaction of member RDCs with agribusiness 2. Consider how to value add to these relationships through joint RDC projects – to create a win for RDCs, growers and agribusiness
3. Formally engage with relevant RDCs in a roundtable forum – to discuss how to establish relationships and what to bring to the table
4. Convene an Agribusiness and RDC Forum to formally consider how to achieve the outcomes
5. Enter a partnership phase with agribusiness and RDCs.
RIRDC Research in Progress – 10. Capacity Building for Innovation in Rural Industries – Cooperative Venture
Project Title Cooperative Venture for Capacity Building Evaluation Project RIRDC Project No.: HAS-12A Start Date: 15-Dec-2006 Finish Date: 30-Sep-2007 Researcher: Jan Paul van Moort Organisation: Hassall & Associates Pty Ltd Phone: 02 9241 5655 Fax: 02 9241 5684 Email: jvanmoort@hassall.com.au Strategies To identify current 'best practices' in rural extension/education and training to assist in the design and delivery of learning. Current Progress Capacity building will continue to be an important issue in the future. It is regarded as a key intermediate outcome in improving the sustainability of rural/regional Australia. As such it will continue to be an area of investment in the future. The CVCB has contributed to develop a deeper understanding of capacity building across its four KRAs. At the same time the need for a structure, such as the CVCB, is recognised as being important for investment, collaboration and learning on capacity building by public and private institutions operating in the field.
Based on the consultation and desktop review, the following capacity building
priorities have been identified:
·1 continued development of best practice methods and models Investors in the CVCB recognis the importance of structure such as the CVCB in addressing these priorities. However there is a distinct preference for investing in applied outcomes which have a tangible and immediate benefit on the partner organisation. This provides two focus areas for future CVCB activates.·2 building the capacity building skills of professionals
·3 improving the strategic fit of capacity building within organisations
·4 collaboration and cooperation between organisations involved in capacity building
·5 informing policy development, particularly on capacity building.
First, the current CVCB knowledge base provides a platform to undertake future projects which build the strategic fit and skills of staff in relation to capacity building within organisations.
Cross-organisational collaboration and informing policy provide the second focus area. This will require a shift from the current awareness raising on-going engagement of policy makers and the establishment of collaborative initiatives on capacity building between the partners.
RIRDC Research in Progress – 10. Capacity Building for Innovation in Rural Industries – Cooperative Venture
Project Title Incorporating CVCB outputs into member programs RIRDC Project No.: JMA-1A Start Date: Finish Date: Researcher: John McKenzie Organisation: John McKenzie & Associates Pty Ltd Phone: (02) 6366 5000 Fax: (02) 6366 5142 Email: john@jmaconsulting.net.au Strategies To ensure that all relevant outputs from the work of the CVCB are available to all member organisations and action learning projects are instigated by members to use and evaluate the findings of CVCB projects. Current Progress ·1 On the Fast Track, a project designed to build the skills of people involved in capacity building activities, is up and running. The project takes an action research approach where participants from CVCB member organisations and their partners will work with mentors and learn from the experiences of each other to apply capacity building principles to their own programs. Integral to this is using the principles developed in CVCB research projects. A manual for capacity building has been published. ·2 A meeting of the CVCB steering committee considered progress reports from three major projects and developed a strategy for the conclusion of the current partnership in 07/08. A plan for canvassing interest in a new venture on capacity building was also considered.
·1 A progress report has been received from Hassall and Associates on the evaluation of the CVCB. Initial results indicate that the CVCB has
§ provided a forum for capacity building and a leadership vehicle to facilitate collaboration, learning and focus investment ·2 The policy synthesis project has held three workshops and completed a synthesis document.§ contributed to the understanding of capacity building around its four key result areas
§ lacked a clear pathway for the understanding to be translated into practice change.
·3 21 research reports and 10 factsheets from the CVCB have been published.
RIRDC Research in Progress – 10. Capacity Building for Innovation in Rural Industries – Cooperative Venture
Project Title Communication services to the Cooperative Venture for Capacity Building 2006/07 RIRDC Project No.: NAT-3A Start Date: 01-Oct-2006 Finish Date: 30-Jun-2007 Researcher: Anne Currey Organisation: Naturally Resourceful Pty Ltd Phone: 0414 878 175 Fax: 02 6686 5052 Email: anne@naturallyresourceful.com.au Strategies To ensure that all relevant outputs from the work of the CVCB are available to all member organisations and action learning projects are instigated by members to use and evaluate the findings of CVCB projects. Current Progress The strategy was developed recognising that the CVCB program was in a mature stage in that many of its research projects would be completed by mid 2007. As such it focused on two areas: ·1 Maintaining the key communications tools already developed, i.e. quarterly newsletter, Capacit-E and the CVCB website Key outcomes for the strategy were an increased awareness of CVCB activities within the Steering Committee and audiences for CVCB products. Activities to achieve this were:·2 Producing accessible, innovative communications products and processes for the two key audiences of CVCB information, i.e. policy makers and managers, and practitioners.
Email newsletters. The first issue of the newsletter was emailed in February 2003. Since then 15 newsletters in total have been produced and emailed to the distribution list. All editions can be downloaded from the CVCB’s website. Newsletters are also emailed to the communications staff of the CVCB partner organisations.
Updates. Three updates for the On the Fast Track project were compiled and sent to Steering Committee members to keep them informed of progress.
Contact database. A contact database containing names of 600+ people who have applied to be added to the Capacit-E email list has been maintained.
Assessment of committee member awareness of policy project. A pre-project survey was completed, and a post project survey is scheduled for when the project is completed later in 2007.
Test innovative ways of reaching audiences. A BLOG is being trialled as part of the On the Fast Project to test how effective this innovative technology is in reaching capacity building practitioners.
Editing reports. A number of final reports were edited, as was a guide to capacity building.
Develop and maintain CVCB webpage. The webpage is operating and up to date.
RIRDC Research in Progress – 10. Capacity Building for Innovation in Rural Industries – Cooperative Venture
Project Title Nesting community-based NRM for regional accountability and grassroots cooperation RIRDC Project No.: UNE-91A Start Date: 1-Feb-04 Finish Date: 30-Nov-07 Researcher: Dr GR Marshall Organisation: University of New England Phone: 02 6773 3250 Fax: 02 6773 3245 Email: gmarshal@une.edu.au Strategies The deliverables from the project would include: ·1 a set of design principles for nested community-based NRM supported by a user-friendly manual, as well as by discussion papers, a final project report, and journal and other scientific papers; ·2 recommendations on how government and community-based NRM processes might be better integrated;
·3 practical guidelines for regional/catchment organisations about how they might bolster their capacities to accept greater accountability, including through more effective local monitoring, sanctioning and enforcement;
·4 and
·5 recommendations on how organisational innovations in community-based NRM might be communicated better within the policy community to secure successful adoption
Current Progress Response rates to the mail-out surveys of farmers in the South West Catchments, Fitzroy Basin and Mallee NRM regions were 29, 20 and 40 per cent. Statistical analysis of the survey data is behind schedule, as analysis has revealed more than the expected number of patterns in the data warranting deeper investigation. The discussion paper based on this analysis (task 10) should be circulated by July. Consequently commencement of task 11 (re-interview original set of key informants) will be delayed by a few months. The intention remains to submit the final project report by 30 November this year. An article drawn from the project has been accepted for publication in a special issue of the International Journal of the Commons. The article is entitled ‘Nesting, subsidiarity and community-based governance beyond the local level’, and the special issue is on ‘Commons in a Multi-Level World’. Meanwhile, the ‘in press’ version of the article can be downloaded as an Occasional Paper from http://www.ruralfutures.une.edu.au/publications/3.php?nav=Occasional%20Paper&publication=40
RIRDC Research in Progress – 10. Capacity Building for Innovation in Rural Industries – Cooperative Venture
Project Title Synthesising policy implications from CVCB program RIRDC Project No.: UQ-126A Start Date: 31August 2006 Finish Date: 31August 2007 Researcher: Dr Michael Cuthill Organisation: UQ Community Engagement Centre, University of Queensland Phone: 07 3381 1278 Fax: 07 3381 1407 Email: m.cuthill@uq.edu.au Strategies The project aims to enhance the capacity building and extension components of emerging policies and institutional arrangements. Current Progress The Policy Synthesis and Implications project is in the final stage. To start the project, key stakeholders were interviewed and some principles and a vision for capacity building began to emerge. Links were developed with key national policy makers, particularly in the joint Australian Government NRM Team, and in DAFF with people involved in capacity building. A Discussion Paper synthesising all of the CVCB research reports completed since the inception of the CVCB, was prepared and has been widely circulated amongst policy makers. Two workshops have been held, one with members of the CVCB and key national policy makers, and the other with a broad range of people from across Australia, all involved in capacity building.
Currently underway are two case studies on collaboration to achieve capacity building in rural industries and NRM. One is a collaboration between the Queensland Farmers Federation and the Queensland Regional Natural Resource Management Groups Collective. The second is the Land, Water and Wool program. Strengths and weaknesses in collaboration will be highlighted.
The key findings from this project will be presented to the Steering Committee and other key stakeholders and researchers at a workshop at the end of July; which is helping to build collaboration, and together develop future plans.
RIRDC Research in Progress – 10. Capacity Building for Innovation in Rural Industries – Cooperative Venture
Project Title The roles for capacity building in regional NRM RIRDC Project No.: UWA-92A Start Date: 1 Aug 2005 Finish Date: 31 Jul 2007 Researcher: David Pannell Organisation: University of Western Australia Phone: (08) 9842 0820 Fax: (08) 9842 0877 Email: David.Pannell@uwa.edu.au Strategies Allow CMAs to better identify issues and areas where capacity building is the most appropriate and effective response for NRM outcomes, focussing on the example of salinity. Current Progress The project continues to progress extremely well. We have completed research on capacity needs for regional NRM in Victoria, and have progressed well in Western Australia. A national survey on this topic has been completed. Research on the implications of demographic changes on the capacity needs of CMAs and service providers is continuing and going well. An analysis of capacity building investment priorities for North Central CMA for salinity has been completed.
The project website at www.sif3.org includes articles, discussion papers, funding proposals, PowerPoint presentations, details on the project team and collaborators, and a long list of news/activities. Numerous presentations have been made to audiences ranging from landholders to senior bureaucrats and politicians.
North Central CMA has rewritten its Dryland Management Plan in response to our recommendations and will commence implementation in 2007–08. Our report on internal capacity issues has been reviewed by their board. Feedback is extremely positive. Overall, the influence of the project on the CMA has already been profound. We will soon provide detailed recommendations to SCRIPT in WA.
Our decision framework, SIF3, has been discussed in detail by governments. Messages from SIF3 have been discussed by Standing Committee. We have influenced future directions for the main NRM programs.
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