Monitoring impacts of water trade in southern Murray-Darling Basin
| Objective: | Assess and report the impacts of trade in the southern MDB |
| Funding: | $400 000 plus applicable GST |
| Jurisdiction: | Multi-jurisdiction |
| Commencing: | July 2010 |
| Completion: | 2012 |
About the project
This project will assess and report on the economic, social and environmental impacts of water trade in the southern Murray-Darling Basin (MDB).
Water markets and trading are a centrepiece of the National Water Initiative (NWI) and are delivering tangible benefits. For example, water trade allows irrigators to manage drought, retire debt or exit the irrigation industry with dignity. Irrigators, urban water authorities and environmental water managers are all using water trade.
Under the NWI, the National Water Commission is required to monitor the impacts (both positive and negative) of water trade in the southern MDB. The Commission released its first report on this issue in June 2010 following the development of a monitoring and evaluation framework.
This project will apply the framework a second time to produce a follow-up report on the impacts of trade in the southern MDB, which is due for release by 2012. The 2012 report will build on the report to be delivered in 2010.
Project benefits
The report will improve our understanding of the impacts of water trade and convey valuable market information to water users, water managers and rural and regional communities.