Project Overview
This section explains what the Industrial Hemp Environmental and Economic Assessment is testing, who the assessment is for, how the New England Landcare Network member-organisation region is defined and what rules are being used to keep the business case objective.
The project is not intended to promote or oppose industrial hemp. Its purpose is to test whether industrial hemp represents a commercially viable, environmentally defensible and strategically relevant opportunity for agricultural producers, regional communities and New England Landcare Network member organisations.
Scope Transition
The initial evidence base was deliberately framed around Granite Borders Landcare as a workable starting point. The project foundation has now been re-scoped to the New England Landcare Network member-organisation footprint before the next secondary research update.
| Member organisation | Primary geography for this project |
|---|---|
| Granite Borders Landcare | Tenterfield Shire, NSW, and the former Stanthorpe Shire area in Queensland. |
| Southern New England Landcare | Armidale Regional Council. |
| Glenrac | Glen Innes Severn Council. |
| Gwymac | Inverell Shire Council. |
What To Read Here
| Page | Use it for |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Why the assessment exists and what standard of scrutiny it must meet. |
| Research Questions | The core question and decision questions the business case must answer. |
| Assessment Perspectives | How findings are separated across producer, supply-chain, member-organisation and environmental perspectives. |
| Methodology | The five-phase research method, evidence principles and decision focus. |
| Project Status | The current phase, current priorities, limits and publishing status. |
Current Position
The project is in Phase 2 - Secondary Research. Phase 1 Scoping is complete and has been re-scoped from the original Granite Borders starting frame to the New England Landcare Network member-organisation region.
Primary research has not commenced. Final business-case findings, conclusions and recommendations have not been drafted.
Core Question
Does industrial hemp represent a commercially viable, environmentally defensible and strategically relevant opportunity for agricultural producers, regional communities and New England Landcare Network member organisations across the member-organisation region?
Broader New England, Northern Tablelands, NSW, Queensland and Australian evidence may be used where relevant, but geography and transferability must be recorded.