Landscape scale research on fire regimes is subject to ongoing investigation in Australia, which should continue to be supported. A topic that should be of considerable value to regional managers is research at the regional scale on how different types of revegetation such as industrial plantations, amenity plantings and farm forestry may affect fire regimes – and the potential impact on existing native vegetation. The development of tools that provide a risk assessment framework for fire management from property to regional scales would be of value.

Most of the research and publications on grazing regimes in the intensive land-use zone has focused at the paddock or property scale. Understanding the potential impacts of different grazing regimes on native vegetation and other natural resources at larger scales would help quantify what these patterns mean at the regional level. For example, a question that would be worthwhile answering is “What area of native pastures and type of grazing regimes at the regional scale would help meet regional NRM goals?” This is important in the extensive pastoral zone as well, where properties and management of necessity need to look at the ‘big picture’. Being specific about the intensity, season and frequency of grazing, rather than using terms like ‘light’ and ‘heavy’ grazing, will make the findings more useful for on-ground management. Explicit recognition and examination of the impact of total grazing pressure on native vegetation, including from native animals, is required to better appreciate potential pressures. The use and impact of fertiliser on native pastures requires more rigorous research on the differential responses of species and systems.