4651.0 - Land Management: Eurobodalla Shire NSW, 2003-04  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 04/11/2005   
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MEDIA RELEASE

November 4, 2005
Embargoed: 11:30 AM (AEST)
117/2005
New survey approach may revolutionise land management data

A new approach by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) to surveying natural resource management practices could revolutionise the future collection of land management information.

The approach uses land ownership information and digital land boundaries to determine who should be surveyed. When these are combined it is possible to tailor accurate coverage for both large and small areas. This is a new way of collecting data on natural resources management.

The approach was successfully trialled in the Eurobodalla Shire (NSW) and the results were released today.

The survey involved about 1,000 people and provides an important insight into land management in the Eurobodalla Shire. The survey covered 71,300 rural hectares of the Shire, with data provided for each of the four river basins within the Shire.

Of the 2,327 rural landholders in the Shire, 1,084 rural landholders (47%) reported having issues with the water. Water availability was the biggest issue, with 934 rural landholders saying this was a concern for them.

A further test of the new methodology is continuing in the Fitzroy catchment in Queensland. The Fitzroy results are looking very promising and will be available early in 2006.

Further information is in Land Management Eurobodalla Shire NSW 2003-2004 (cat. no. 4651.0).