Social and Economic Assessment for Water Planning in Australia

Claudia Baldwin from the Water Planning Tools team, with co-authors Mark Hampstead and Vanessa O'Keefe, presented this paper on the importance of social and economic assessment at this year's Water Down Under Conference.

The paper reports on lessons learned about water planning by water planners and stakeholders around Australia, based on experience since the COAG water reforms in 1994, and provides 11 case studies to illustrate the state of practice in use of social and economic assessments in developed Water Allocation Plans.

Abstract

An important tool for achieving sustainable use of water and water security under Australia's National Water Initiative is the use of social and economic assessments in the water sharing planning process. Such assessments can be used to: advise on possible social and economic impacts of options, which in turn inform trade-off which are seen to be transparent and fair; identify ways of mitigating negative impacts, including structural adjustment; provide accurate information to stakeholders and decision makers on which to base decisions; and provide an understanding of the cultural context in relation to 'other public benefit outcomes' and indigenous objectives and values. This paper reports on lessons learned about water planning by water planners and stakeholders around Australia, based on experience since the COAG water reforms in 1994. Eleven case studies from States and the Northern Territory are used to illustrate the state of practice in use of social and economic assessments to inform decisions on risks and trade-off in developed Water Allocation Plans. Recommendations are made about how social and economic assessments can add value to water planning process and outcomes.

Citation

Baldwin, Claudia; Hamstead, Mark and O'Keefe, Vanessa. 2008. "Social and Economic Assessment for Water Planning in Australia". In: Lambert, Martin (Editor); Daniell, TM (Editor); Leonard, Michael (Editor). Proceedings of Water Down Under 2008. Modbury, SA: Engineers Australia ; Causal Productions: 495-507.