Table of Contents

Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 1

I. Background ....................................................................................................................................... 1

II. Discussion.......................................................................................................................................... 3

Challenge 1............................................................................................................................................ 3

Land Use Conflict ............................................................................................................................... 3

Challenge 2............................................................................................................................................ 4

Migration ........................................... 4

Challenge 3............................................. 5

Environmental Consequences ............. 5

Conclusion ................................................. 5

References ................................................................................................................................................ 7
Introduction

Australia is the smallest continent and is the 6th largest country in the world with a land
mass of 7,656,127 km² (Australian Government, n.d.) with approximately half of the land
dedicated to agricultural use (ABS, 2020). This essay will examine the outcome of the shift
from a largely farm-based rural development to the more prevailing post-productivism rural
development. Author John Connell describes post-productivism as “a move away from mass
production of agricultural commodities, towards rural lifestyles and landscapes as the
marketable or defining features” (Connell, 2014, p. 187). This change has proven difficult for
rural resource planners, policymakers and rural communities. The first section of this essay
will explore the background behind the post-productivism transformation as well as
influential elements driving these changes. The second section of this essay will discuss
three different challenges faced by rural resource planners, policymakers and rural
communities and what is being done to address these challenges. The challenges that will
be examined include conflict arising from land use, tree change migrations and tourism as
well as environmental consequences.

I. Background

Post-productivism is often observed from two different angles, from a land use point of view
or a socio-political and welfare point of view (Mather, Hill, & Nijnik, 2006). In order to gain a
more complete understanding of post-productivism and its effects on rural Australia both
points of view should explore. Connell (2014, p. 187) describes that as the economy has
changed, with tourism, finance and health sectors becoming more prominent and farming
more focused upon growing Australia’s capital resulting in the countries adaptation into
post-productivism. Australia’s largest economic sector is tourism and continues to grow,
with tourism having generated $60.8 billion GDP and employing up to 5% of the Australian
workforce (Tourisim Australia, 2021). Tourism is reinforcing the conversion of the post-
productivist transformation in rural Australia. The post-productivism transition has changed
Australia’s economy into a ‘patchwork economy’ as described by Connell (2014, p. 4),
meaning that Australia’s economy is no longer solely focused on the production of

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agricultural and mineral resources and now holds a more multifocal disposition of the
countries economy.

Approximately half of Australia’s land is dedicated to agricultural and mineral resources and
35% of the population reside in rural areas, as shown in figures 1 and 2. Therefore, the
economic growth of regional Australia is an issue of national importance (Connell, 2014, p.
4). There are many socio-economic and environmental problems faced by rural Australia,
with some of the more prominent issues surrounding droughts and land use (Connell, 2014,
p. 4).

Figure 1. Map of Agricultural Land Use in Australia, ClimateWorks Australia, Land Use Futures [Infographic],
https://www.climateworksaustralia.org/land-use-futures/australias-land-use/

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 POPULATION DISTRIBUTION OF AUSTRALIA
City Residents Rural Residents

35%

65%

Figure 2. Population Distribution of Australia, [Pie Chart]

including factors underpinning the post-productivist transformation in rural Australia

II. Discussion

Challenge 1
Land Use Conflict
A prominent challenge that arises from the post-productivist transformation happening in
rural Australia is land use conflicts, with mining at the forefront of these conflicts. Mining
has had a dramatic influence on the economy and the geography of Australia and is
arguably the most influential industry of the 21st century for Australia (Connell, 2014, p. 8).
The mining industry has greatly boosted the economy but at a significant cost
environmentally and culturally. Mining has high water demands and causes significant water
pollution and has destroyed a number of sacred Indigenous Australian sites and artworks
(Connell, 2014, p. 9). Land use conflict also arises in disagreements between states
regarding the ownership of the resources (Connell, 2014, p. 9). The mining industry
competes with the agricultural industry for viable land. Despite almost half of the countries
land being dedicated to agricultural use, less than 3% is considered to be “prime agricultural
land” (Connell, 2014, p. 14). Post-productivist transformation of rural areas also encroaches
into bushland, forestry and wildlife reserved through urban sprawl as well as “conflict

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between the expansion of renewable energy and cultural and biological values” (Karimi &
Hockings, 2018). Karimi and Hockings express that Conflict anticipation rather than conflict
resolution is key in making sustainable land use decisions (Karimi & Hockings, 2018).

Challenge 2
Migration
Another challenge resulting from the post-productivist transformation of rural Australia
comes from a combination of tree change migrations and population loss due to the youth
leaving the area. Buckle & Drozdzewski define tree change migration as the “trend of urban
residents moving towards inland regional areas of Australia” (Buckle & Drozdzewski, 2018).
While this seems like a solution to the population loss of younger residents, there is a
knowledge gap as a result of the romanticisation of rural and farm life thanks to “idyllic
images of the rural [being] coupled with metaphors of a more wholesome lifestyle”
(Connell, 2014, p. 83). Migration to rural areas is also common with lower income families
who are seeking a more affordable housing (Connell, 2014, p. 83).

Connell (2014, p. 83) sums up this challenge with the sentiment of this romanticisation
saying “they have no concept of what a farm is”. Connell (2014, p. 83) also remarks that
“tree change migrants are as likely to be discouraged by urban life as encouraged by rural
and small town life”. The post-productivist transformation of rural Australia has turned the
ruralness of areas into a commodity, making the perceived tranquillity highly sought after,
and therefore more popular which then takes away from the aforementioned perceived
tranquillity (Tonts & Greive, 2002).

Another migration based challenge that comes as a result of post-productivist

transformation of rural Australia is the aforementioned youth out-migration. The trend of
young adults moving away from rural areas has been a trend since the early 20th century
(Connell, 2014, p. 25). The driving force behind this out migration is the desire to “leave
their rural towns and regions in search of new opportunities and experiences elsewhere”
(Connell, 2014, p. 25). This leaves a void of people who possess both the agricultural
knowledge and physical capability to fulfil the occupational needs that are specific to rural
towns. This results in a higher level of dependence on imports and further pushes the
country into a post-productivist Australia.

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Challenge 3
Environmental Consequences
A further challenge resulting as a result of the post-productivist transformation of rural
Australia comes in the form of environmental consequences. Climate change and the
subsequent retributions of droughts, floods, fires and other natural disasters further adds to
pressures on rural towns. One challenge lies within “whether to strengthen the
environmental component of the triple bottom line or to develop a stronger sense and
practice of conservation agriculture” (Connell, 2014, p. 15). Agriculture has had a profound
impact on the environment, in particular livestock. Livestock has extensive impact on land
and water use which is already under the strain of climate change and land use conflicts
(Thornton & Herrero, 2010). Globally the agricultural sector uses up to 70% of water use
(Thornton & Herrero, 2010) and as Australia is already a dry country plagued with drought,
it is logical that the economy would want to move away from such a resource heavy form of
revenue , further driving the country into a post-productivist Australia.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are a number of challenges that have arisen from the post-productivist
transformation that is ongoing in rural Australia. With approximately half of the land
dedicated to agricultural use and the expansion and sprawl of urban areas that encroaches
into bushland, forestry and wildlife reserves has led to conflicts over land use. The key in
making sustainable land use decisions relies on conflict anticipation rather than conflict
resolution to help combat against land use disagreements. The post-productivist
transformation of rural areas can also be seen in a combination of tree change migrations
and population loss due to the youth leaving the area. The post-productivist transformation
of rural Australia has turned the ruralness of areas into a commodity, making the perceived
tranquillity highly sought after, and therefore more popular which then takes away from the
aforementioned perceived tranquillity. Migration to rural areas is also common with lower
income families who are seeking a more affordable housing (Connell, 2014). Additionally,
there has been a trend of young adults moving away from rural areas has been a trend since
the early 20th century. This out migration is influenced by the desire to seek new
opportunities and gain new experiences however, the loss of youth with agricultural
5
knowledge has left a cavity in rural areas. Climate change and the subsequent retributions
of droughts, floods, fires and other natural disasters further adds to pressures on rural
towns. Agriculture has had a profound impact on the environment, in particular livestock.
Livestock has extensive impact on land and water use which is already under the strain of
climate change and land use conflicts.

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References
ABS. (2020, May 28). Agricultural Commodities, Australia. Retrieved from Australian Bureau of Statistics:
https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/industry/agriculture/agricultural-commodities-australia/2018-
19

Australian Government. (n.d.). Area of Australia - States and Territories. Retrieved from Geoscience
Australia: https://www.ga.gov.au/scientific-topics/national-location-
information/dimensions/area-of-australia-states-and-territories

Buckle, C., & Drozdzewski, D. (2018). Urban perceptions of tree-change migration. Rural Society, 27(3),
192-207. doi:10.1080/10371656.2018.1504735

Connell, J. (2014). Rural Change in Australia : Population, Economy, Environment. (R. Dufty-Jones, Ed.)
Taylor & Francis Group. Retrieved from
http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/curtin/detail.action?docID=1610007

Karimi, A., & Hockings, M. (2018). A social-ecological approach to land-use conflict to inform regional and
conservation planning and management. Landscape Ecology, 33, 691-710. doi:https://link-
springer-com.dbgw.lis.curtin.edu.au/article/10.1007/s10980-018-0636-x

Mather, A. S., Hill, G., & Nijnik, M. (2006). Post-productivism and rural land use: cul de sac or challenge
for theorization? Journal of Rural Studies, 22(4), 441 - 455. doi:10.1016/j.jrurstud.2006.01.004

Tonts, M., & Greive, S. (2002). Commodification and Creative Destruction in the Australian Rural
Landscape: The Case of Bridgetown, Western Australia. Australian geographical studies, 40(1),
58-70. Retrieved from https://onlinelibrary-wiley-
com.dbgw.lis.curtin.edu.au/doi/abs/10.1111/1467-8470.00161

Tourisim Australia. (2021). The Economic Importance of Tourism. Retrieved from Tourisim Australia:
https://www.tourism.australia.com/en/markets-and-stats/tourism-statistics/the-economic-
importance-of-tourism.html