How should government organisations spend their money to protect native vegetation and bio-diversity?

These are some of the questions a team of researchers from the Australian National University aim to answer, with the assistance of members of Parkes Men’s Shed who will deliver a survey to 200 Parkes homes this week.

The survey is being undertaken in Parkes and other centres to find out people’s views about natural resource management – what needs to be protected, how best to do so, and where the money should be spent.

The survey is being done in collaboration with a number of Catchment Management Authorities, the NSW Government, and the Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics.

Professor Jeff Bennett, who is heading the ANU team, said the outcomes of the study will be a useful tool for policy makers, and give the community a chance to have a significant input into the future direction of natural resource management.

‘We are doing the study because it’s important to understand how people make their own decisions about natural resources,’ he said.

‘This information will be very useful for policy makers to help them decide how public money should be spent to ensure the greatest benefits to society.

‘By being part of the survey people in Parkes can have their say about how they think natural resources should be managed in the future.’

Parkes Men’s Shed President Bernie Crowe said that Parkes Men’s Shed had been offered the opportunity to deliver the survey to a selection of homes as a fundraising initiative.

‘So by completing the survey and having your say, people who receive the survey will also be helping Parkes Men’s Shed raise funds for equipment and for a permanent Shed,’ Bernie said.

Bernie outlined how Shed members will visit selected homes with the survey, and arrange a time to call again to collect the completed survey.

‘Your answers are strictly confidential,’ he said. ‘You do not write your name on the survey, and you will be given an envelope for the completed survey.’