Landcare Priorities Survey
Between August and November 2023, Yarrilinks conducted a survey of Landcare priorities in our region to help inform the review of Yarrilinks’ strategic plan. The survey was advertised online, in local newspapers and in person at engagement events in the Yarrlinks area.
A second survey was also conducted with students from Warracknabeal Secondary College. This was a scaled-back version and only included some of the questions from the main survey.
A total of 54 responses were received (33 from the general survey and 21 from the student survey).
The results of the survey are now in and we look forward to sharing them with you! You can find a full report of the survey results by clicking the button below (also available on our Resources page), or scroll down to see some highlights.
And of course, a big thank you to everyone who took the time to complete our survey! Your input is appreciated and will be taken on board as Yarrilinks evolves in the years to come.
Focus for Yarrilinks
This question was part of the general survey and asked respondents to consider what they thought Yarrlinks should focus on in the coming years, out of a total of 7 topics
They were ranked as follows
Revegetation and protecting remnant vegetation
Pest and weed control
Sustainable food production
Threatened species conservation
Waterway restoration
Community education and capacity building
Soil health
However, even the lowest prioritised focus areas were selected by at least one third of participants.
Environmental Issues
Interestingly, despite not being ranked as a high priority for Yarrilinks to focus on, soil health was identified as one of the top environmental and agricultural issues in the region, along with biodiversity loss, pests and weeds, and waterway health.
Some of the issues that received more variable priority ratings were:
Climate change
Meaningful incorporation of Traditional Indigenous Knowledge
This may be reflective of these issues still being seen as controversial by some.
Agricultural Issues
The top rated agricultural issues were soil health, weed and insect pests, knowledge around best practices, and agrichemical resistance.
Issues with lower or more variable priority ratings included changes in weather patterns, shortage of skilled labour, and rising input costs.
Most Important Natural Assets
The waterways and remnant native vegetation of our region were overwhelmingly the most common themes.
Several waterways were mentioned by name, and the Yarriambiack Creek was noted by all participants on the student survey (the school campus is located along the creek).
There was recognition of many types of ecosystem from woodlands to riparian areas to grasslands.
Threats to the Environment
The strongest theme was the use of agrichemicals, with herbicides, insecticides and synthetic fertilisers mentioned specifically. Weeds and pests were also a common theme.
Several different roadside vegetation issues were noted, such as firebreaks, roadside cropping, and firewood collection.
A few responses took aim at the human element, from apathy to lack of knowledge and corporate environmental violence.
