Viability of revegetation incentives for meeting biodiversity and salinity objectives in the Goulburn-Broken Dryland

Abstract

This report is part of a project being undertaken by the Charles Sturt University Johnstone Centre and the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE). The research examined ways in which salinity mitigation and biodiversity conservation can be achieved in the dryland portion of the Goulburn Broken Catchment. The project had four main stages. 1. A literature review and interviews with key stakeholders were undertaken to identify social factors affecting the implementation of the Goulburn-Broken Dryland Salinity Management Plan (GBDSMP), particularly with respect to the poor adoption rates for best management practices (BMPs). 2. Landholders were surveyed to explore the social factors identified in Stage 1, including the constraints that have prevented landholders adopting BMPs. The results of the survey have been published in Curtis et al. (2001). 3. A literature review of natural resource management policy approaches in Australia and a workshop with experts were used to identify policy options that would improve the adoption of BMPs in a revised GBDSMP. The review has been published as MacKay et al. (2000) and a summary of the workshop is given in Lockwood & Hawke (2000). A review was also undertaken of the potential of carbon credits to contribute to salinity mitigation (Hawke 2000a). 4. One of the requirements for salinity mitigation is to increase the area of perennial vegetation in the catchment. If this can be achieved, at least in part, through re-establishing native vegetation, then biodiversity objectives will also be addressed. A survey was undertaken to assess the extent to which the required level of revegetation could be achieved through re-establishment of native vegetation, and the amount of public investment that would be required. This report addresses the fourth stage.