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Institutional credibility and leadership: critical challenges for community-based natural resource governance in rural and remote Australia

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Abstract

Community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) institutions are challenged with finding common ground as a basis for action among diverse resource users and stakeholders. Establishing and maintaining institutional credibility within their regions, catchments, communities and among their membership is fundamental to overcoming the challenge. So too is applying appropriate institutional and governance structures and appointing appropriate leaders. Drawing on triangulated case study data collected over a 12-month period using multiple methods, this paper examines the influence of institutional credibility and leadership on the functioning, decision-making and governance of two CBNRM institutions in Queensland, Australia. The paper shows that stakeholders have very different expectations of what makes a CBNRM institution credible. Satisfying the multiple expectations requires CBNRM institutions to incorporate diverse stakeholder representation, assert their legitimacy and demonstrate accountability, transparency, fairness and justice. The paper also draws attention to the value and importance of appointing inspirational leaders who focus on encouraging followers to pursue collective goals. Comparing the merits and constraints of appointing average Joes versus community elites to the Boards of CBNRM institutions, the paper highlights the urgent need for community-based natural resource governance and inspirational leadership education and training programs to improve the availability and quality of CBNRM leadership in rural Australia. Since combining credible CBNRM institutions with inspirational leaders does not necessarily equate to sustainable on-ground NRM outcomes, it is critical that the education and training programs emphasise the importance of monitoring and evaluating the improvements in decision-making processes and in decision outcomes.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the research informants for participating in the study. We also thank the subject editor and the two anonymous reviewers for commenting on the paper. The Tropical Savannas CRC, CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems and The University of Queensland are acknowledged for their financial and/or logistical support of the PhD research on which this paper is based.

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  1. GPO Box 668, Brisbane, QLD, 4001, Australia

    Lionel V. Pero

  2. University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, DC, 4558, Australia

    Timothy F. Smith

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Correspondence to Lionel V. Pero.

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Pero, L.V., Smith, T.F. Institutional credibility and leadership: critical challenges for community-based natural resource governance in rural and remote Australia. Reg Environ Change 8, 15–29 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-007-0042-4

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