Climate and Natural Resources

The focus of this study was on the economic costs of closures to transport corridors from flood waters at Rockhampton in January 2011. Two approaches have been used to provide for a simplified assessment of the economic impacts of the road closures. The first was to model the proportional downturn in the regional economy, using data from surveys ....

For over a century, farmers in the northern plains region of Victoria have adapted to the challenge of farming in a climate shaped by periodic drought and low rainfall. The "climatic" and "pricing" shocks which have occurred during the first decade of the new millennium have driven considerable change across the once stable production landscape. ....

As one part of the Australian Government's National Review of Drought Policy, an assessment of the social impacts of drought on farm families and rural communities was undertaken by an expert panel. To support this inquiry, this submission provides preliminary information from the Regional and Rural Families Survey, which includes ....

As one part of the Australian Government's National Review of Drought Policy, an economic assessment of drought support measures was undertaken by the Productivity Commission. To support this inquiry, this submission provides preliminary information from the Regional and Rural Families Survey, which includes estimates of the social ....

Although the economic consequences of drought are often discussed, little is known of its social impact on people in rural communities and resulting welfare implications. A 2003 study examined the effects of severe drought on three contrasting rural communities in New South Wales: the remote farming areas around Bourke, the broadac ....

The recent growth of the coal seam gas industry has increased pressure on regional communities. Debate surrounding the industry is intense and a social licence to operate has yet to be granted to the industry in its entirety. This article presents an analysis of social issues surrounding the coal seam gas industry, making comparisons between two ....

Regional and remote communities in Australia face a number of challenges in managing waste and recovering and re-using resources. Challenges include access to markets for recyclables; distances and road conditions between towns and waste facilities and the recruitment and retention of staff. Each community is unique and there is no single soluti ....

Information on the Murray Darling Basin, including water, land, biodiversity, people and atmosphere. This resource provides a wealth of publications on regional issues, including specific reports relating to natural resources in Regional Australia. As a collection, these publications provide valuable information on regional industry. Report ....

Annual report by Southern Rural Water. Overview of governance, customers, stakeholders and financial report.  Report LocationClick here to view the full report ....

Climate projections over the next two to four decades indicate that most of Australia's wheat-belt is likely to become warmer and drier. Here we used a shire scale, dynamic stress-index model that accounts for the impacts of rainfall and temperature on wheat yield, and a range of climate change projections from global circulation models to spatia ....

Over the last decade growth in spatial information use for disaster management has been considerable. Maps and spatial data are now recognized as critical elements in each of the four phases of disaster management: mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. The use of spatial information to support the phases of mitigation, preparedness an ....

The State Growth Outlook provides an integrated outlook on the basis of the development intentions and plans of the resource industry and government in WA. First published in April 2009, the main focus of the study is the demand for the key growth enablers of water, people and energy – critical inputs into the economic prosperity of WA. Repo ....

The 2007-08 State of the Regions report focuses on climate change and its implications and impact on Australia's diverse regions. The Report provides a useful overview of international, Commonwealth, state and territory greenhouse policies, as well as critically discussing some of the regional impacts of potential abatement measures and carbon ta ....

The 2008-09 State of the Regions report continues to focus on the challenges of climate change, especially given the financial economic crisis engulfing the globe. The Report adds to the accumulated knowledge of previous reports on climate change, including discussion of the impact of emissions trading on regional households. Several case studies ....