Forestry water policy in South Australia: review of the history and policy change process in the south-east of South Australia
Date
2013
Authors
Xu, C.
McKay, J.M.
Keremane, G.
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Journal article
Citation
Water, 2013; 40(4):104-107
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Abstract
Plantation forestry has existed and shared water resources in Australia since the late 19th century, but to date no jurisdiction in the world has called on the forestry industry to consider its impact on the natural environment or other consumptive users. In this regard, South Australia leads the nation in managing the water resource impacts of plantation forestry. The forestry water policy transition in South Australia - to include forestry in a Water Allocation Plan (WAP) alongside other water users (such as irrigators) - is heralding institutional innovation relating to forestry water management in Australia and worldwide.
Inclusion of forestry as a Water Affecting Activity (WAA) in the Lower Limestone Coast Water Allocation Plan (LLCWAP) has been complex and the process has run for almost eight years. The government, industry and the community have, together, put in great efforts to try and reach a policy position. This paper reviews the policy transition process in the south-east of South Australia and is part of ongoing research investigating this institutional innovation to include forestry in the WAP. The experiences of the development process of the LLCWAP could provide lessons in other policy development processes, particularly on effective stakeholder engagement in South Australia and other Australian states.