Our priorities

These are our identified priorities for drought resilience in the Southern NSW footprint.

Key agricultural industries in Southern New South Wales

This list is not exhaustive but captures the most significant sectors by size or value.

Improve strategic decisions around allocation of irrigation water and optimise efficiency in delivery and use
Optimise the efficient capture storage and use of surface water for agricultural production
Balance agricultural water requirements with landscape and cultural water needs

Exploration and development of efficient water management tools and techniques
Assessment of current and future water availability and infrastructure and ability to most efficiently match that to production system needs at a farm scale

Understanding and managing the collective impact of drought on social aspects of rural communities
Managing business risk to improve resilience of non agricultural businesses that rely on rural prosperity
Addressing mental health in rural communities during drought
Retaining populations to underpin regional services and social structures

Rural regional community social research into pre-drought indicators in communities
Supporting First Nations communities to develop diverse agricultural businesses and fill knowledge gaps
Building resilience of businesses and social networks that underpin regional communities and service surrounding areas
Identifying mental health indicators and service structures that can be sustainable for small communities

Improving farm business management skills and decision making capacity to manage risk and capitalise on opportunities
Increase the reliability and accuracy of long range weather forecasting
Servicing the complexity of skills required in modern farming enterprises

Increasing the adoption and implementation of farm plans which identify opportunities to increase resilience and manage risk
Understanding and managing farm business enterprise diversification risks and investment opportunities. Assessment and decision support tools and services.
Identifying areas of deficiency in current preparation for drought and develop plans to address these
Farm financial business management skills to support sound decision making
Identified key trigger points or other tools to prompt timely, tactical decision-making during drought
Improve landholder and advisor capacity to analyse and interpret climate and weather data

Adoption of agricultural practices that optimise production benefits whilst managing risk to farm business and landscape assets
Addressing regional workforce shortages

Greater understanding and better utilisation of Stock Management Areas for production and natural asset conservation
Addressing knowledge gaps associated with developing and improving management of drought resilient crop and pasture species with are fit for future climate
Development of initiatives to attract and maintain workforces in regional areas
Development and adoption of labour saving technologies and practices to reduce the reliance on human resources
Building capacity in quality fodder production and storage

Improving soil management practices to balance production with ecosystem services and avoid degra- dation during drought
Capitalising on potential alternate income through natural capital accounting and valuing ecosystems services such as biodiversity and carbon

Improving knowledge and adoption of practices that manage soils and landscapes as complex systems
Improve understanding of key soils constraints and opportunities and development of management strategies to address
Tools and skills development for farmers to support improved management of groundcover