Stakeholder Map
The stakeholder frame now applies to the New England Landcare Network member-organisation region rather than Granite Borders alone.
| Stakeholder group | Why they matter | Information they can provide | Recommended engagement method | Perspective supported | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Existing hemp growers | Practical experience with yields, costs, compliance, markets and production risk. | Enterprise costs, production constraints, buyer relationships, failure points. | Semi-structured interview in Phase 3. | Producer, Supply Chain, Environment | High |
| Potential growers | Test adoption barriers and opportunity cost against current enterprises. | Decision criteria, risk tolerance, required returns, machinery and labour constraints. | Interviews or workshop in Phase 3. | Producer, NELN / Member Organisations | High |
| Mixed farmers | Relevant comparator enterprises and rotation decisions. | Alternative crop economics, soil and water constraints, adoption practicality. | Interviews in Phase 3. | Producer, Environment | High |
| Grazing enterprises | Major comparator land use in parts of the region. | Opportunity cost, landscape outcomes, enterprise resilience. | Interviews or targeted workshop. | Producer, Environment | Medium |
| Agronomists and farm advisers | Translate regional conditions into production feasibility. | Suitability, risks, input programs, variety and harvest issues. | Expert interviews. | Producer, Environment | High |
| Hemp processors | Critical test of market access and infrastructure. | Intake capacity, quality specs, fees, minimum volumes, supply risk. | Semi-structured interview and document request. | Supply Chain, Producer | High |
| Manufacturers | Link processed hemp to end-use markets. | Product specifications, demand stability, price sensitivity. | Interview or written questions. | Supply Chain | Medium |
| Exporters | Test export opportunities and requirements. | Export volumes, certification, specifications, buyer demand and competition. | Interview. | Supply Chain | Medium |
| Wholesalers and distributors | Test domestic market depth and product movement. | Sales channels, volume, pricing and margin structure. | Interview. | Supply Chain | Medium |
| Food, fibre and building-material buyers | Distinguish interest from actual demand. | Purchase volumes, specifications, substitute products and price thresholds. | Interview and document request. | Supply Chain, Producer | High |
| Seed suppliers | Production feasibility depends on genetics and seed access. | Variety availability, legal constraints, seed cost, performance claims. | Interview and document review. | Producer, Supply Chain | Medium |
| Contractors and machinery providers | Operational feasibility may depend on specialised services. | Planting, harvesting, drying, storage and logistics capability. | Interview. | Producer | Medium |
| Freight and logistics providers | Freight can determine farm-gate viability. | Transport costs, handling constraints, distances and minimum loads. | Written estimate or interview. | Producer, Supply Chain | Medium |
| NSW DPI and Queensland DAF | Relevant agronomic, regulatory and industry-development information. | Licensing, trials, production guidance and regional fit. | Expert interview and source review. | Producer, Supply Chain, Environment | High |
| DAFF, ABARES and ABS | Government data for agriculture, trade and regional economics. | Statistics and policy context. | Secondary research; targeted clarification if required. | Supply Chain, Producer, NELN / Member Organisations | High |
| AgriFutures and CSIRO | Research, industry studies and technical evidence. | Agronomy, market and environmental evidence. | Secondary research; expert interview if needed. | All | High |
| Member local governments | Regional development, land use and planning context. | Economic-development priorities, infrastructure and regional data. | Interview or document review. | NELN / Member Organisations, Supply Chain | Medium |
| Universities and researchers | Independent review of agronomy, environmental and economic claims. | Study interpretation, limitations, research gaps. | Expert interview. | Environment, Producer | High |
| Environmental organisations | Test environmental claims and risks. | Biodiversity, water, landscape and restoration comparisons. | Interview or workshop. | Environment, NELN / Member Organisations | Medium |
| Landcare members | Legitimacy and member value depend on member priorities across participating organisations. | Appetite for involvement, concerns, education needs. | Survey, meeting or workshop in Phase 3. | NELN / Member Organisations, Environment | High |
| Traditional Owners and Indigenous land managers | Land and cultural considerations may affect project relevance and engagement. | Land-use priorities, cultural values, partnership considerations. | Respectful early engagement through appropriate channels. | NELN / Member Organisations, Environment | Medium |
| Financial institutions and insurers | Finance and risk pricing affect adoption. | Lending appetite, insurance constraints, risk perceptions. | Interview. | Producer, Supply Chain | Low |
| Regulators and compliance officers | Licensing and compliance risks must be current. | Compliance obligations and enforcement issues. | Written clarification or interview. | Producer, Supply Chain, NELN / Member Organisations | High |
Stakeholder Blind Spots to Avoid
- Consulting only advocates or existing industry participants.
- Treating growers and processors as having the same interests.
- Under-representing producers who decide not to grow hemp.
- Overlooking contractors, freight providers and buyers who may determine practical viability.
- Assuming Landcare member support without testing it across member organisations.