Farmers are prepared to adopt sustainable farming practices if they can afford to do so. Off-farming employment is expected to continue and be important in the future. However, as the primary industries are the main source of off-farm work, moving into other income sources isn't easy for farming families. Succession from one generation to the next is becoming less common - with low profitability and social changes being the main factors. Accessing Services and Population Levels .
Lower populations lead to fewer support services.
Local schools, especially primary schools, are a major focal point for rural communities. High travel time to schools is an issue, with a one hour one-way bus trip identified as an upper acceptable limit. Farming families make a very large contribution to voluntary services in their communities. People are motivated to contribute by a strong desire to maintain services but feel they are at the limit of the contribution they can make. Communities and organisations feel their concerns need more acknowledgment and that they need help in putting in place solutions.