Community attitudes towards private native forestry in New South Wales

Abstract

An on-line survey during August–September 2006 examined community attitudes toward private native forestry. Views expressed by the 156 respondents confirmed prior hypotheses that attitudes would correlate with associations (e.g. professionals in favour of incentives, farmers in favour of freedom to manage, conservationists in favour of regulations), and with interest (biodiversity enthusiasts in favour of regulations, producers in favour of incentives), but refuted the prior hypotheses that urban dwellers would be more likely to favour regulations. Respondents appear to reflect different constituencies with divergent views without a shared understanding of the condition and dynamics of private native forests in NSW. This indicates the need for more extension and public education, particularly since forests continue to be an election issue. The survey did not gauge support for private native forestry, but helps to untangle the views from the constituencies promoting them. Regulatory approaches received most support from respondents affiliated with an environmental group, with a national concern for biodiversity, who fear that private native forests are in poor condition and will degrade further. Advocates for more landholder freedom tend to be landholders who believe that private native forests are in better condition than comparable State Forests, and who are optimistic about the future for private native forests. Advocates for incentives tend to be urban dwellers with a production focus and professional affiliation.

Appendix A: Questionnaire for the Web-based Survey

• (1) In your view, what is the typical condition of private native forest in NSW, with respect to comparable public forest in the vicinity?

  • Good

  • Slightly better

  • Comparable

  • Slightly worse

  • Poor

  • Don’t know

• (2) Given the current regulations and markets, what is your prognosis for private native forests? Will they...

  • Be cleared and converted to other uses

  • Deteriorate

  • Remain the same

  • Improve

  • Don’t know

• (3) Does your concern for private forests relate primarily to forests...

  • Nationally

  • State-wide

  • Within your region

  • Within your immediate neighbourhood

• (4) What is your major concern regarding these forests?

  • Biodiversity (protection of fauna and flora)

  • Scenery and recreation opportunities

  • Other environmental services (water, salinity, etc)

  • Production (of timber, honey, etc)

• (5) What do you think is the major threat to these forests?

  • Clearing for urban development

  • Clearing for agriculture

  • Fire (burning-off or wildfire)

  • Grazing

  • Logging

  • Weeds and feral animals

  • Other neglect (dumping of rubbish, drift of farm chemicals, etc)

• (6) What do you think is the best way to get better outcomes for private native forests in NSW?

  • Stronger legislation and more rigorous enforcement

  • Giving landholders more freedom to do as they see fit

  • Offering financial incentives for specified outcomes

  • Other (please specify)

• (7) Please tell us a little about yourself: Your age?

  • Under 21

  • 21–35

  • 36–50

  • 51–65

  • Over 65

• (8) Where do you live?

  • In Sydney

  • In a regional city

  • In a country town

  • Rural residential

  • On a farm

• (9) Where do you work?

  • Office

  • Factory

  • At home (or don’t work)

  • On the land (farm or forest)

  • Service industry (indoor)

  • Service industry (outdoor)

  • Other indoor

  • Other outdoor

• (10) How often do you visit a forest (private or public, for work or pleasure, to walk or picnic)?

  • Couple times a week

  • Couple of times a month

  • Couple times a year

  • Rarely

• (11) Do you belong to any of the following groups?

  • Conservation organization

  • Farmers federation

  • Political party

  • Professional association

• (12) Any other observations or concerns about private native forests?