YOUNG people have a tremendous role to play in bringing services and ideas to communities.
But it’s creating space for them to do that, according to Pip Job, Acting Manager, Business and Social Resilience Programs, Department of Primary Industries, Dubbo, replying to a question of building resilience and overcoming barriers smaller communities face during The Next Crop forum at Grenfell.
Ms Job told attendees that at times she felt space creation was the barrier.
“It’s about opening up our minds to how we encourage that creative space,” she said.
“Young people 18 to 35 years say they do not know where to go for information, and it’s really messy trying to find information.
“I’ve also heard there are some local governments stopping progress in their areas, so resilience is about adaptability and opening pathways for our young people to flourish.”
Ms Job said technology creates an interesting space for people to flourish.
“To start pop-up businesses in these areas that don’t necessarily rely on traffic-flow past the door.
“The Bird’s Nest in Cooma is an outstanding example of a business that is flourishing well and not truly relying on that front door traffic.”
Adaptability is a key feature to resilience and crucial when experiencing loss of services within a community.
“It’s important we look at the options as there are always options,” Ms Job said.
“It’s about how you support those generations that may not be as inclined to wanting to adapt, especially in the adoption of technology and its use.
“How do you support those things in a community?
“That’s often the role the Rural Resilience Program plays in supporting farmers and farming communities in those times of need.”
Read The Next Crop feature in tomorrow’s (April 19) The Land.