The system has already experienced a reduction in the number of people in the community through farms getting bigger and there being fewer farmers and their families living in the communities.

As a result of reduced population, there has been a loss of essential services including health, education, police and mechanical repair services. Also a reduction in employment opportunities and gov’t funding in the area.

People now need to travel further to other centres for the services no longer provided.

An increased demand in outdoor recreation opportunities results in more water sports, more quad bikes and 4WDs and rubbish.

This is an added pressure on already pressured native areas, wetlands and waterways.

Reduced ability for natural regeneration of bushland through recreational pressures.

More indoor activities because it is hotter (increase use of air conditioning).

Lack of awareness of impacts of behaviours on natural areas.

No true wilderness activities available. There is also increased restrictions due to bushfire risk and the need to travel further for nature experiences.

Changes expected in rainfall and temperature may make it harder and more costly to be self-sufficient.

Increasing urbanisation of the system, particularly the near-coastal and coastal areas is resulting in a loss of farmland to development.

A positive change has been a decline in discharge from piggeries, feedlots and dairies to the sensitive environment.

A shift in seasons is being observed with summer seeming to be coming later. This will impact agricultural practices as well as the natural environment.

Changes in rainfall and temperature may change the landscape amenity – dustier, drier and the loss of ‘community’ may mean those remaining will feel more isolated so that it is then a negative not a positive. Of note were that more trucks are now on the roads due to the Tier 3 rail closures and this is already impacting the lifestyles.

The loss of ‘community’ through people leaving the area or becoming disengaged through mental health issues, may mean these cultural values are no longer able to be maintained and are lost.

Commercial farms are becoming bigger and diversifying while some farmers are going out of business.

Already the reductions in rainfall means the rivers are not running as they used to.

Tree decline through lack of water and urban infrastructure such as paving has been observed.

Loss of remnant vegetation through changes in climate as well as an increase in plant disease such as Phytophthora Dieback is expected.

Loss of roadside vegetation has been experienced due to the widening of roads due to the Tier 3 rail closures.

The expected increase in weeds leading to increased fire risk.

Changes to habitats and species diversity expected including the loss of species.