Strategic Approaches to Water Management

A strategic approach to water management is critical to ensure that water is allocated equitably, efficiently and in an environmentally sustainable manner.

Australia is very familiar with the impacts of water scarcity and drought, which, globally, are now high on the agenda of many government and business leaders. The Millennium Drought in Australia’s Murray-Darling Basin contributed to record low water availability across many key agricultural regions. The existence of policy and management mechanisms for the reallocation of available water to higher-value uses meant that the economic losses associated with the drought were not as severe as they otherwise may have been. Australia is able to share its experience of strategic water management and use in the face of severe water scarcity with other countries facing similar futures.

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Do you have these challenges?

  • Managing competing uses for increasingly scarce water resources
  • Increasing the diversity of water supply and water treatment options
  • Prioritising water uses and users
  • Gaps in your water laws and policies
  • Sectors, government ministries or departments not aligned in their water-related mandates, roles and responsibilities
  • Getting political buy-in and/or community support for your decisions
  • Being more inclusive in your decision-making – gender equality and social inclusion

Want to learn more about…

  • Valuing water
  • Water allocation
  • Water ownership
  • Water markets
  • Water charging
  • Water trading
  • Water law
  • Institutions
  • Governance arrangements
  • Participatory engagement
  • Gender equality and social inclusion
  • Water cooperation
  • Water reform
  • Integrated Water Resource Management
  • Water-food-energy nexus
  • Equitable and reasonable water use
  • No significant harm
  • Economic growth and wellbeing
  • Sustainable water use
  • Drought resilience
  • SDG 6

Find out more about what the Australian Water Partnership is offering through
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