Engaging Rural and Remote Communities: A Practice Framework

Moffatt JJ¹*

1. University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

The demise of rural and remote communities in Australia as a structural adjustment to globalisation and the negative impacts of neo-liberalism is well chronicled. The marginalisation of some of these communities and the consequent alienation experienced by many residents has presented a challenge to a government increasingly concerned with engaging their constituents in the process of governance.

The comparatively recent Australian focus on ecologically sustainable development has identified the prevention of further degradation of natural resources as a national priority. In Queensland more than 80% of the land is used for agricultural purposes yet fewer than 20% of people live in rural and remote areas where the majority of grazing enterprises exist.

The comparatively small population of graziers therefore becomes an important one when engagement is considered in the context of natural resource management. The risks associated with neglecting to engage a small sector of the community is demonstrated by civil disobedience in Queensland with up to 60,000 hectares of vegetation illegally cleared during a recent three year period.

A study using unstructured interviews and participant observation was conducted in rural and remote Queensland over a period of five months. Results from this study of graziers and the communities they live in are used are a basis to develop a practice framework for engagement. A ruralcentric approach using a social justice foundation is proposed. Principles, strategies and methods to engage this population will be reported on.

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