Leitch, Anne, Bellamy, Jenny, Dale, Allan, and Pollock, Lynda (2001) The role of science communication in natural resource planning: a case study in the Central Highlands of Queensland. In: Proceedings of the International Conference of the Australasia-Pacific Extension Network. pp. 1-8. From: APEN 2001: International Conference of the Australasia-Pacific Extension Network, 3-5 October 2001, Toowoomba, QLD, Australia.

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Abstract

Regional planning for natural resource management in Australia has failed to assimilate that regions are complex natural systems with interdependent environmental social and economic elements (Dale and Bellamy 1998). Such planning is underpinned by the traditional scientific presumption that once we know the facts we can fix the problem. This perception is compounded by the limited role of science communication in the current system of planning for natural resource management in Australia. In regional resource use planning, centralised agencies have overused scientific information to define problems and yet this has not translated to use of scientific information in managing the problems.

In regional planning, science communication can be redefined from a more traditional role of research, development and extension, to a more communicative model that has adiverse and multi-disciplinary role of interpreting scientific information for use by a particular group, building stakeholder capacity, and facilitate and manage negotiation between key stakeholder groups.

This paper describes a pilot project (funded by CSIRO and Land and Water Australia) that was conducted from 1997 – 2000 in Queensland's Central Highlands. The Central Highlands Regional Resource Use Planning Project (CHRRUPP) sought to establish and evaluate the outcomes from a more negotiated approach to regional planning for sustainable resource use. In doing this CHRRUPP aimed to build the capacity of all stakeholders with an interest in the region's natural resources. This was assisted by a range of science communication services intended to encourage the development of group understanding of sustainability problems and to provide a common basis for negotiation towards agreed regional solutions. The pilot study aimed to shift our understanding of how scientific information should be developed and communicated in order to build the capacity of regions to solve sustainability problems. We describe the way science communication was planned, implemented and evaluated within the regional planning context.

Item ID:	44989
Item Type:	Conference Item (Non-Refereed Research Paper)
Date Deposited:	04 Aug 2016 02:39
FoR Codes:	05 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 0502 Environmental Science and Management > 050209 Natural Resource Management @ 100%
SEO Codes:	96 ENVIRONMENT > 9609 Land and Water Management > 960904 Farmland, Arable Cropland and Permanent Cropland Land Management @ 40% 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9606 Environmental and Natural Resource Evaluation > 960604 Environmental Management Systems @ 30% 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9607 Environmental Policy, Legislation and Standards > 960705 Rural Land Policy @ 30%
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