Groundwater conflicts: how WAMPS can help

Date

2003

Authors

Halanaik, D.
McKay, J.M.

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Water, 2003; 30(8):23-26

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Abstract

Groundwater in Australia in many areas is an open access resource regulated in a minimalist way. Thus conflict resolution in groundwater management has different attributes to schemes devised for surface water and there are fewer examples in the world literature. This case study looks at an unregulated aquifer where there is a serious community conflict. According to the older agricultural users the decline in groundwater access is due to 20 years dewatering by a mining company. This paper reports on the responses of the community to a suite of new policy options such as water management plans and their attitudes and willingness to join in this process. The results show that growers in the most blighted zone (where their wells are now dry) are willing to join a water allocation and management plan, WAMP (now water resources plans, WRP). We conclude that if such a scheme is initiated in the area and includes groundwater then this mechanism will be positively received and provide an important mechanism to resolve this water allocation and use conflict.

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