JCU > Research Portfolio > Prof Allan Dale

About

Allan Dale is a Professor of Tropical Regional Development at The Cairns Institute, James Cook University and the Chief Scientist for the Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA). Allan is also a University Fellow with Charles Darwin University’s Northern Institute and has a strong interest in integrated societal governance, with a particular focus across the tropical world, northern Australia and the Great Barrier Reef. He leads JCU’s contributions to Queensland’s Rural Economies Centre of Excellence (RECoE) and the Communities in Transition Program, the Human Dimensions of the GBR, the Northern Development agenda and emerging approaches to Collective Impact.

He has both extensive research and policy expertise in building strong societal governance systems, but particularly those related to regional economic development, social development and natural resource management. Allan was previously the Chair of Regional Development Australia Far North Queensland and Torres Strait Inc. and the CEO of Terrain NRM. He has held executive and management roles within the Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines and the Department of Community Services. He also has global experience in respect to the social impact assessment of community development. Having started his career as an agricultural scientist, Allan’s doctoral work explored rural development in remote Indigenous communities, and he has long working relationships with Traditional Owner groups throughout northern Australia. In 2015, Allan gave a TEDxJCUCairns talk which you can view HERE

Interests

Research

Regional and natural resource policy/ governance systems
Environmental and social impact assessment
Indigenous/rural community development
Corporate/organization development
Lecturing/training in governance theory and planning systems
Land assessment and rehabilitation
Governance for the management of terrestrial carbon and greenhouse gas abatement
Climate change adaptation and disaster management

Experience

2020 to present - Member of the Advisory Group on the Northern Australia Agenda, Commonwealth Government
2017 to present - QLD Plan Ambassador, QLD Government
2015 to present - Great Barrier Reef Water Science Taskforce, QLD Government
2010 to present - Research Leader - Tropical Regional Development, The Cairns Institute (James Cook University, Cairns)
2010 to 2017 - Chair, Regional Development Australia FNQ&TS
2005 to 2010 - CEO, Wet Tropics Regional Natural Resource Management Board (Cairns)
2001 to 2005 - General Manager of Resource Policy, Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines
1996 to 2001 - Senior Scientist, Regional Planning, CSIRO - Tropical Agriculture
1993 to 1996 - Manager, Social Impact Assessment Unit, Queensland Department of Family Services, Aboriginal and Islander Affairs

Research Disciplines

Honours

Memberships

Reef and Rainforest Research Corporation (Board Member)
Mulgrave Aquifer Community Reference Panel (Independent Chair)
Environmental Institute of Australia (Member)
International Association of Impact Assessment (Member)
2016 - Queensland Plan Ambassadors Council (Ambassador)
2015 to 2016 - QLD Government Great Barrier Reef Water Science Taskforce (Member)

Publications

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles

Sari D, Margules C, Lim H, Sayer J, Boedhihartono A, MacGregor C, Dale A and Poon E (2022) Performance Auditing to Assess the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Indonesia. Sustainability, 14 (19).
Sari D, Margules C, Lim H, Widyatmaka F, sayer J, Dale A and MacGregor C (2021) Evaluating policy coherence: a case study of peatland forests on the Kampar Peninsula landscape, Indonesia. Land Use Policy, 105.
Dale A, Vella K, Ryan S, Broderick K, Hill R, Potts R and Brewer T (2020) Governing community-based natural resource management in Australia: international implications. Land, 9 (7).
Dale A (2018) From conflict to collaboration: can better governance systems facilitate the sustainable development of the northern pastoral industry, communities and landscapes? Rangeland Journal, 40 (4). pp. 331-340
Dale A, Vella K, Gooch M, Potts R, Pressey R, Brodie J and Eberhard R (2018) Avoiding implementation failure in catchment landscapes: a case study in governance of the Great Barrier Reef. Environmental Management, 62. pp. 70-81
Adams V, Álvarez-Romero J, Capon S, Crowley G, Dale A, Kennard M, Douglas M and Pressey R (2017) Making time for space: the critical role of spatial planning in adapting natural resource management to climate change. Environmental Science & Policy, 74. pp. 57-67
Gooch M, Curnock M, Dale A, Gibson J, Hill R, Marshall N, Molloy F and Vella K (2017) Assessment and promotion of the Great Barrier Reef's human dimensions through collaboration. Coastal Management, 45 (6). pp. 519-537

Book Chapters

Stephens A, Opperman E and Dale A (2021) Revisiting governance systems analysis in Northern Australia: exploring critical systems thinking as a framework for engaging with multiplicity and incommensurability. In: Rethinking Northern Australia Development. ANU Press, Canberra, ACT, Australia, pp. 509-540
Dale A, Vella K, Ruth P, Babacan H, Cottrell A, Costantini W, Hardacker M and Pert P (2020) Typical social adaptation measures in climate change planning: a tropical region case study. In: Economic Effects of Natural Disasters: theoretical foundations, methods, and tools. Elsevier, London, UK, pp. 237-260
Brodie J, Grech A, Pressey B, Day J, Dale A, Morrison T and Wenger A (2019) The future of the Great Barrier Reef: The water quality imperative. In: Coasts and estuaries: The future. Elsevier, Kidlington, Oxon, UK, pp. 477-499
Dale A (2018) Governing north Australian landscapes for a better future. In: Sustainable land sector development in northern Australia: Indigenous rights, aspirations, and cultural responsibilities. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, USA, pp. 203-222
Dale A, Ryan S and Broderick K (2017) Natural resource management as a form of multi-level governance: the impact of reform in Queensland and Tasmania. In: Multi-level Governance: Conceptual Challenges and Case Studies From Australia. ANU Press, Canberra, ACT, Australia, pp. 327-359

More: ResearchOnline@JCU stores 129+ research outputs authored by Prof Allan Dale from 1992 onwards.

Current Funding

Current and recent Research Funding to JCU is shown by funding source and project.

CRC for Developing Northern Australia Scheme - Contract Research

Strategy and research impact advice to the CRC for developing northern Australia

Indicative Funding: $1,050,489 over 7 years
Summary: This project is to: 1. Provide strategic advice to the CRCNA Board and their CEO to maximise the impact of the CRCNA and its investments; 2. Establishment and maintain cohesive advisory arrangements to the Board and CEO; 3. Frame and support the progression of commissioned knowledge brokerage and research of strategic importance to the Board; 4. Support the CRCNA to identify and attract high impact project proposals; 5. Support the CRCNA in the determination and measurement of impact across the CRCNA activities.
Investigators: Allan Dale (The Cairns Institute)
Keywords: Northern Australia; Agriculture; Food; Tropical Health; Traditional Owners

QLD Department of Agriculture and Fisheries - Tenders

Rural Economies Centre of Excellence (RECoE)

Indicative Funding: $1,650,594 over 6 years (administered by University of Southern Queensland)
Summary: The Rural Economies Centre of Excellence (RECoE) is a multi-site centre of expertise in rural economic development located in regions across Queensland. It will be based in Toowoomba, Rockhampton, Cairns, Townsville, Emerald, Malanda and Gatton. It is a partnership between universities with key rural economic development expertise across the state:(i) The University of Southern Queensland; (ii) Central Queensland University; (iii) James Cook University; and (iv) The University of Queensland.
Investigators: Jim Cavaye, John Rolfe, Allan Dale, John Mangan and Hurriyet Babacan in collaboration with Stewart Lockie, Diane Jarvis, Riccardo Welters, Zsuzsa Banhalmi-Zakar and Jennifer McHugh (University of Southern Queensland, Central Queensland University, The Cairns Institute, The University of Queensland, College of Business, Law & Governance and College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords: Rural Economies

Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment - Agricultural Innovation Hubs Program

Tropical North Queensland Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub

Indicative Funding: $2,500,000 over 1 year, in partnership with Sensand Technologies Pty Ltd ($20,000)
Summary: The TNQ Agricultural Innovation Hub is anchored as part of the established TNQ Drought Hub and will sit within the JCU ideas Lab in Cairns ? on the traditional land of the Yirrganydji people. Under the TNQ Agricultural Innovation Hub (as part of the broader TNQ Drought Hub) JCU will bring together producers, agriculture companies, supply chain businesses, innovators, start-ups, investors, and researchers to drive agricultural innovation in Northern Australia. The TNQ Agricultural Innovation Hub can also leverage the expertise of JCU?s Innovation Advisory Committee (IAC) and Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) as/when required to support new project concepts.
Investigators: David Phelps, Rachel Hay, Daniel Christie, Simon Page, Emily Harrington, Brook Orr, Samantha Horseman, Nico Adams, Luke Deacon, Allan Dale, Stewart Lockie, Yvette Everingham, Jane Oorschot, Nicole Lucas, Darryl Lyons and Christine Pitt (Research Infrastructure, College of Science & Engineering, JCU Connect, The Cairns Institute, N Lucas Pty Ltd and Farmers 2 Founders (Australia))
Keywords: Innovation; Commercialisation; Technology Adoption; Agriculture; Ag-tech; Producers

Queensland Social Enterprise Council - Consultancy

QSEC FNQ Regional Innovator

Indicative Funding: $8,600 over 1 year
Summary: Queensland?s economic recover needs impact businesses that are run well, supported, able to respond to social procurement opportunities, and can access the right capital at the right time. The Queensland Government has supported QSEC and sector partners to help reveal the diversity and depth of market for social enterprises (SE) to advance business activity in regional areas across Queensland.Regional Activators will help unlock opportunities for SE on the ground in key regional areas and promote direct engagement with potential industry partners. This project provides a unique opportunity to facilitate information and sharing around social enterprise to the Cairns region but also beyond to the Cape and Torres Strait
Investigators: Allan Dale in collaboration with Jennifer McHugh (The Cairns Institute)
Keywords: Social Enterprise; Regional Development; Northern Australia

Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment - Queensland North Assessment (QNA)

Regional values across the North.

Indicative Funding: $72,300 over 1 year
Summary: The project will provide the QNA Section with a deeper understanding of regional values across the North through the analysis of interactions/relationships between major projects and regional environments and communities, and the discussion of significant potential impact themes. The project will support the development of more integrated environmental assessments and is strongly linked to the NESP Resilient Landscapes Hub, Project 1.32 Scoping Study: Supporting Regional Planning in Northern Australia under the Marine and Coastal Hub, and CRCNA investments in de-risking agriculture in Northern Australia.
Investigators: Allan Dale in collaboration with Jennifer McHugh, Damien Burrows, Nathan Waltham, Mitchell Sheppard and Michele Burford (The Cairns Institute, College of Science & Engineering, TropWATER and Griffith University)
Keywords: Social enterprise; Northern Australia; Regional development

Girringun Aboriginal Corporation - Contract Research

Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples' Cultural Values Project

Indicative Funding: $28,500 (administered by Girringun Aboriginal Corporation)
Summary: The Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples' Cultural Values Project (RAP CV Project) has three objectives: A. To maintain, protect and conserve the 2012 National Heritage Listed Indigenous cultural values of the Wet Tropics by developing a new management plan B. To develop innovative ways to present Indigenous spatial identities of the Wet Tropics through pilot/s c. To implement activities that enhance the Australian public's understanding of and engagement with the Indigenous cultural values of the Wet Tropics. The RAP CV Project activities deliver I. The Wet Tropics Cultural Values Management Plan (complementing the Wet Tropics World Heritage Management Plan incorporated into the 2020-2030 Wet Tropics Strategic Plan and the Wet Tropics People and Country NRM Plan, as well as other relevant key plans in the region) II. Indigenous spatial identities mapping pilot/s regarding, at various landscape scales, the right persons speaking for Country, that is, the knowledge holders, apical ancestors and usufructuary rights-based peoples (the people who exercise the activities with plants and animals, minerals etc.) III. Support for existing and emergent cultural heritage information management system developments across the Wet Tropics IV. The draft 2009 intellectual property kit from ARC revisited V. Cultural values capacity development, e.g. for Cultural Heritage Bodies, RNTBCs and PBCs and applicant groups, and other Aboriginal land-owning entities and other Rainforest Aboriginal organisations VI. Progressing a nomination for listing on the Wet Tropics for the Queensland State Heritage Register. The delivery of this service contributes to all deliverables, particularly the CV Management Plan and cultural values capacity development.
Investigators: Allan Dale in collaboration with Jennifer McHugh, Ellie Brook and Shannon Burns (The Cairns Institute)
Keywords: Wet Tropics; Cultural Values; Great Barrier Reef; World heritage

Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment - National Environmental Science Program 2 (NESP 2) - Marine and Coastal Hub (NESP MAC Hub)

Scoping Study: Supporting Regional Planning in Northern Australia

Indicative Funding: $92,000 over 1 year
Summary: Development in northern Australia has had bi-partisan political support for many years and thus receives significant policy and funding profile. However, the agenda is widely considered to have under-achieved against aspirations, becoming a heavily contested space with poor outcomes for development and environment. Disputes over environmental issues are central to this contestation affecting development proponents, government agency decision-makers and affected communities. We believe we can make a positive contribution to easing (often known as de-risking) this contestation. A key issue is availability of agreed data/information/knowledge to all parties. We plan to run this agenda in partnership with the Resilient Landscapes Hub and the CRC for Developing Northern Australia, thus covering terrestrial, marine and socio-economic issues in strategic partnership. Given the many parties and wide range of issues involved, we will require extensive planning and consultation in the first year in order to develop a coherent research investment strategy for future years.
Investigators: Allan Dale and Damien Burrows (The Cairns Institute and College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords: NESP; Economic Development; Northern Australia; resilient landscapes

Qld Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy - Contract Research

Bradfield Regional Assessment and Development Panel.

Indicative Funding: $1,778 over 2 years
Summary: Day rate only requested to particulate in the Bradfield Regional Assessment and Development Panel.
Investigators: Allan Dale (The Cairns Institute)
Keywords: Water Management; Regional Development

Cairns Regional Council - Contract Research

COVID-19 Rapid Social Needs Assessment

Indicative Funding: $54,418 over 2 years
Summary: Preliminary evidence suggests that the suppression management of the COVID-19 crises in the Cairns region has had significant impact on the social and emotional health of the local population. Conduct a time-critical rapid social needs assessment to provide an understanding of the short-term needs of the broader community and social service sector. This may include deeper dives into the needs of more vulnerable cohorts and issues ? seniors, people with a disability, homeless sector, domestic violence and culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
Investigators: Hurriyet Babacan and Allan Dale in collaboration with Jancy McHugh (The Cairns Institute)
Keywords: Pandemic; Social and Community Wellbeing

Queensland Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport - FNQ Innovation Strategy and Action Plan

FNQ Innovation Strategy and Action Plan

Indicative Funding: $25,108
Summary: This project is for the research, analysis, consultation and delivery of the FNQ Innovation Strategy and Action Plan. The information obtained from an Ecosystem Scan will help inform the analysis of the outcomes from the Ideation Sessions and development of the strategy. JCU will work with Outsource Management to provide input into the SWOT analysis, strategy development and action plan. The FNQ Innovation Strategy and Action Plan development will be managed by Outsource Management with input from the Reference Group, JCU and DTIS.
Investigators: Allan Dale in collaboration with Hurriyet Babacan, Jennifer McHugh, Rochelle Finlay and Brook Orr (The Cairns Institute)
Keywords: Innovation; Ecosystem Scan; Action Plan; Strategic Planning; Innovation Strategy

QLD Department of Seniors, Disability Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships - FNQ & NQ Monsoon Trough Category C Flexible Funding Grants Program

Building Community Resilience Through Digital Connectivity and Inclusion

Indicative Funding: $22,000 over 1 year (administered by Northern Gulf Resource Management Group)
Summary: The project will assist in bringing together Northern Gulf property owners, councils, development organisations, technical experts and service providers to collaboratively identify and define mobile, telecommunications and broadband failures during the 2019 monsoon trough and recovery phase, and devise novel technical solutions and systemic improvement options for the future.
Investigators: Allan Dale in collaboration with Hurriyet Babacan and Jennifer A McHugh (The Cairns Institute)
Keywords: Digital connectivity; Northern Australia

Department of Social Security - Contract Research

Cairns South Collective Impact continuation

Indicative Funding: $132,000 over 2 years (administered by Mission Australia)
Summary: The Project will bring together representatives from government, community organisations, and a wide range of service providers to focus on this particular social issue. It will support the Early Years sector to lead the development of a detailed child development 'agenda' and to establish long-term system improvements that will increase support and enhance outcomes for children and their families in Cairns South.
Investigators: Allan Dale, Jancy McHugh and Fiona Allison (The Cairns Institute)
Keywords: Human Dimensions; Marine Estate Planning

Supervision

Advisory Accreditation: I can be on your Advisory Panel as a Primary or Secondary Advisor.

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current

Imagine if it was done properly? Governance systems analysis of the PNG Petroleum Sector (PhD , Primary Advisor)

Completed

Auditing the governance of natural resources in Indonesia (2021, PhD , Secondary Advisor)
Prescient Custodians: Biocultural Ecological Economics and Restorative Governance of the Wet Tropics (2022, Masters , Primary Advisor)

Collaboration

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.