The aim of the this collaborative project is to improve the long term viability of irrigated

enterprises in Western Australia by increasing their capacity to effectively assess

requirements, manage and secure water resources under the pressure of proposed statutory

and predicted climate change.

This project funded by the NPSI and delivered by Curtin University with its collaborative

partner the Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia (DAFWA) aimed to assist

growers, irrigators and state/local government bodies in understanding proposed changes to

water law in W. A.

Along with this the project also provided the targeted audience with background information

of the drivers behind the proposed statutory reforms required by the National Water

Initiative, with particular focus on climate change and the importance of sustainability of

ecological systems reliant on water, i.e. environmental flows and groundwater dependant

ecosystems.

To achieve these aims a series of eight presentations were taken to the target audience across

key agricultural regions of Western Australia being: Carnarvon, Swan Valley, Harvey,

Albany, Scott River, Margaret River, Manjimup and Myalup. Using the database of contacts

held by DAFWA invites were sent to growers etc. to participate by attending the presentation

in their region.

The presentations each consisted of four separate topics being: “Preparing Irrigated

Agriculture for Statutory and Climate Change”; “Climate Change: Observed and Projected

Changes in Western Australia”; “Environmental Flows and Groundwater Dependant

Ecosystems” and “Using Water Wisely”.

Each of these presentations was followed by a survey completed by the attendees designed to

provide a greater understanding of grower’s and irrigator’s opinions on a range of issues

surrounding water use and governance.

A range of resource materials were developed for attendees and in some cases were sent to

those unable to attend, these included: a CD Rom of the presentations; background

documents produced by both state and federal government agencies and useful factsheets,

produced by DAFWA, to aid growers etc. in better managing sustainable water use.

In summary, the project, which began in August 2011 and completed at the beginning of

March 2012, achieved all of the aims outlined in the project application.