Are tree-changers bad at managing their rural properties? A new study wades into the weeds to find the answer
Retrieved on:
Thursday, June 15, 2023
So will this lead to more absentee neighbours who, in the eyes of some, don’t know what they’re doing?
Key Points:
- So will this lead to more absentee neighbours who, in the eyes of some, don’t know what they’re doing?
- You’re also expected to take on certain responsibilities, such as managing weeds on the property.
- We found almost everyone, including absentee landowners, were concerned about weeds and spent a lot of time managing them.
Tree-changers: friend or foe?
- They can also be tree-changers who are generally more interested in rural lifestyles and “getting into nature” than farming the land.
- Of all absentee landowners, tree-changers can readily attract complaints because of the significant changes they bring to the look and culture of rural areas.
- They often occupy former farmland and may cease farming, engage in conservation work, build new houses or just ride motorbikes all weekend.
- Read more:
A botanical detective story: shedding light on the journey out of Africa for one of Australia's worst weeds
The evidence is mixed
- But another US study did not identify residential status as a factor in weed management.
- In Australia, research tends to note absentee owners as an issue for weed management.
Our results
- They include towns such as Bega, Bowral, Candelo, Berry, Kangaroo Valley and Nowra.
- We surveyed 439 landowners about their behaviours and attitudes toward weeds and their management.
- Both groups said weed management was a priority and said being a good neighbour was a primary motivation for taking action.
- An overwhelming number of people in both groups managed weeds (and spent one to five hours per week doing so).
Look beyond where people live
- This must be recognised in both research and policy.
- Absenteeism is just one part of the puzzle – and perhaps not as important as we might think.
- This should involve in-depth case studies to tease out the issues underpinning community tensions about weed management and identify common ground.