Building Capacity in the Rangelands

Summary

This report is also known as NBP.217.

​This Project was a strategic response, by Meat and Livestock Australia and The University of Queensland (UQ), to a national need identified in a Meat Research Corporation-funded study of “Education and training to support sustainable management of Australia’s pastoral industries” (AgTrans Research 1998). This report identified that, despite the importance of the rangelands, there were no offerings specifically in rangeland management, and that the offerings available at the time were perceived by a wide range of stakeholders to have the following deficiencies:
not practical,
did not integrate production and ecological aspects, and
‘out of touch’ with the education and training needs of rangeland stakeholders.
This report also recommended the establishment of a Rangeland Management Centre and Network “attuned to the real needs of the stakeholders in the rangelands” (AgTrans Research 1998).

Accordingly, the Project Objectives were:

a) NAP3.326: To establish a Rangeland Management Institute at UQ and provide the resources for a Professor, an Assistant, a Clerical assistant, an Educator, an Administrator and travel and operating; and to source an additional $1m from other funding bodies.

b) NBP.217: To develop innovative yet practical education and training opportunities, by 30 June 2005, to ensure profitable and sustainable use of rangeland resources and vibrant communities, including:

- by 31 December 2003, deliver 3 new short courses for rangeland users, managers and service providers to keep up to date with developments and skills relevant for successful 21st century businesses and communities

- by 31 July, 2004, initiate 2 new postgraduate programs for the professional development of senior managers, advisers, trainers and researchers in the rangelands,

- by 30 June 2005, develop nationally accredited, articulated programs (with flexible options and multiple pathways) for qualifications in range management.​