A brief history of agri-environment policy in Australia: From community-based NRM to market-based instruments

Abstract

Australia’s agri-environment policy began in the 1980s. Early measures focused on community-based NRM, increasing awareness, and building social capital through Landcare. • The perceived success of these early efforts enabled a ramping up of government investment through the Natural Heritage Trust and successive programs. • There have been repeated failures to demonstrate measurable outcomes from this increased investment. • This has led to a greater focus on targeted, strategic, and accountable programs. • The capacities required to effectively deliver these programs have been inadequately addressed. 91