A Community Approach to Biosecurity in a Remote Australian Region

‘How do communities engage with new knowledge?’ This is the research question posed by a PhD student based in an irrigable agricultural community, grappling with concepts of community engagement and participation in biosecurity. Every community is different and as such, relies on unique and distinct methods to transfer information across all areas of its population. Local residents and organisations within these communities can access new knowledge through fairly traditional and predictable mediums such as brochures, detailed reports, the internet, newspaper articles and the radio, while others prefer a more personal means of exchange. Because of the size, diversity and transience of its population, local people living within this northern Australian community depend more on their social networks and personal relationships to provide trusted and reliable sources of information. As a result, this research project will explore the key concepts that connect both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people and the manner in which shared ideas, knowledge, experience, energy, cultural beliefs and traditions build the capacity of individuals, groups and the community to address local issues. Initial research results provide a detailed description of how new knowledge is (or is not) exchanged across different community sectors in order to learn from one another and instigate change.