As 2011 starts, we find that we have a strong focus on the rural and remote areas of South West Queensland - an area that has been hard hit with first drought and now floods. Jeff Coutts is part of a project run by the Centre of Rural and Remote Area Health and funded by the Collaborative Partnership for Farming and Fishing Health Safety (through RIRDC). This project is running workshops in 12 rural and remote areas to see what more can be done for farmers and their communities to build their capacity in the face of climate variability. A related input is facilitating meetings in two centres in the region to look at how Human Services and Volunteers can best coordinate their response to flood recovery within their communities.
Read the full post | Tags: CRRAH, RIRDC, Queensland, Mental Health
As we enter the new 2010/2011 financial year, there is a lot of activity being undertaken in the rural and agricultural sector in Australia. For example: The Murray Darling Basin Authority is set to release its draft plan for the basin which will have implications for agricultural industries, communities and river health; and the productivity commission (http://www.pc.gov.au/projects/inquiry/rural-research/terms-of-reference) is undertaking a review of the Rural Development Corporation model of delivering R&D in Australia. Both of these events alone are very significant for the sector.
Read the full post | Tags: News, Evaluation, R&D, Rural, Agricultural
Although we have been undertaking surveys since we commenced in 2001, they have mostly been done as part of an overall evaluation of a project and program. We have identified that many people who are undertaking such evaluations need to outsource the survey component. This is a role that we are stepping up to take!
Read the full post | Tags: Jeff Coutts, Surveys
Hot off the press is the report of the Review and Evaluation of the use of incentives/Market Based Instruments for the Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM Body. Coutts J&R undertook this review on BDT's behalf towards the end of 2008. It was a terrific opportunity to get up close and personal to this relatively new mechanism for change - co-funding of on-ground works on rural properties where they provide a public environmental benefit!
Read the full post | Tags: BDTNRM, Incentives, MBIs
Coutts J&R is happy to announce that we have revamped and updated our website (have a look around!). After almost 8 years, it was time for a refresh and to clarify our business and what we can do for you. This new site includes a blog that we will use to update you on our thinking and experiences over time - so we hope you check in occasionaly for the latest thoughts!
Read the full post | Tags: couttsjr, website