Program 5: Integrating Socioeconomics, Policy and Decision Support

Another area being tackled by the NCGRT involves community attitudes to groundwater management, and the complex area of the social, economic and policy dimensions of groundwater resource management.

Program Five is where the learnings from the other four programs are brought together to inform the ways we understand and make decisions about groundwater. Social scientists, environmental lawyers and policymakers will work closely with other researchers on identifying issues and developing acceptable options. The program is closely aligned with a priority of the National Water Initiative to optimise economic, social and environmental outcomes for water management through a national regulatory and planning system.

Flagship case studies will link with other programs to examine socioeconomic and ecological factors to help formulate effective policy and management practices. A key focus will be on how to reduce uncertainty in groundwater decision making. Researchers will also look at specific issues such as ways to engage the farming community around the need for sustainable groundwater management.

Other issues such as trans boundary groundwater involving multiple stakeholders is a potential minefield which requires a long-term strategic approach. This will be the focus of a case study in South Australia's Lower South East which has an over allocated groundwater system as well as cross jurisdictional issues.

Sub-program 5A: Integrated Assessment Modelling and Decision Support

Sub-program 5B: Farmers of the Future: How will they farm groundwater?

Sub-program 5C: Policy, Institutional, Law and Governance issues

Sub-program 5D: Vulnerability, Risk, Sensitivity and Uncertainty Issues in Integrated Management of Groundwater

Download the Program 5 outline .

Leader

Professor Anthony Jakeman, ANU

For enquiries about Program 5, email Tony Jakeman

Chief and Partner Investigators

• Dr Barry Croke, ANU
• Professor Alan Curtis, CSU
• Associate Professor Alex Gardner UWA
• Professor Neil Gunningham, ANU
• Professor Jennifer McKay, UniSA
• Professor David Pannell, UWA
• Dr Carmel Pollino, ANU