Journal article
Water planning in the Condamine Alluvium, Queensland: Sharing information and eliciting views in a context of overallocation
Journal of Hydrology, Vol.474, pp.38-46
2012
Abstract
The Central Condamine Alluvium, at the head of Australia's Murray-Darling River system, provides groundwater for food, fibre and a fast expanding urban population. Current extraction is assessed at 67 GL/a (gigalitres per annum), while the best available scientific data estimates the sustainable groundwater system yield is closer to 40 GL/a (CSIRO, 2008). Peak organisations accept overallocation as a critical issue but conflict over water has disrupted several past attempts at regulation. To assist local communities and the planning agency, seven planning tools were used: (1) an extended stakeholder analysis and context report, (2) a program of engagement with Traditional Custodians, (3) intergenerational workshops, (4) a survey of groundwater users covering issues in setting and meeting the agreed system yield, (5) a multi-criteria analysis relating to setting and apportioning the available yield, (6) a pilot workshop addressing adaptation to climate risk, and (7) development of a three-dimensional groundwater visualisation tool relating to the regional aquifers. Results fed directly into pre-planning processes undertaken by the State water agency. The tools allowed a much broader range of voices, values and depth of information to feed into the planning process than otherwise available. Participants found the Indigenous engagement tool and the GVT the most useful. The latter addressed identified information gaps and allowed for aquifer characteristics and the interaction with bores to be presented in a user-friendly manner. Intergenerational perspectives about using water within sustainable limits were also obtained but the Community Reference Panel did not place any weight on this perspective in discussions over the plan amendment. Evaluations of the tools demonstrate that a range of planning tools can be readily used to enhance existing planning processes, particularly by sharing information and eliciting views that may not be readily accessible to water planners.
Details
- Title
- Water planning in the Condamine Alluvium, Queensland: Sharing information and eliciting views in a context of overallocation
- Authors
- P L Tan (Author) - Griffith UniversityClaudia Baldwin (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts and BusinessIan White (Author) - Griffith UniversityK Burry (Author) - Griffith University
- Publication details
- Journal of Hydrology, Vol.474, pp.38-46
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Date published
- 2012
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2012.01.004
- ISSN
- 0022-1694
- Organisation Unit
- School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Engage Research Lab; School of Law and Society; Sustainability Research Cluster
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99450143302621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Domestic collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Engineering, Civil
- Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
- Water Resources
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