Water futures project
A two-year journey with water futures project comes to an end
- by Ken Waldron
For the past 2 years I have participated in Qld Water Foresight project funded by the Queensland Water Modelling Network (QWMN) and ANU Institute for Water Futures (IWF). This was a long journey involving 7-full day workshops with participants drawn from within academia, facility managers, water modelling community, government, and users.
The purpose of this project has been to develop a platform for decision makers in relation to the future needs and issues that will drive water infrastructure decisions and water security in southern Queensland looking out to 2050.
Much valuable insight and detailed data evolved throughout this project creating a great opportunity an informed whole of community engagement on the issues influencing water security and the implication for infrastructure decisions arising out of the many conflicting demands for this finite resources.
Notwithstanding the detail implied above the most memorable notes of relevance to the Granite Belt Community are:
A changing climate has massive implications on future water security and operations. This is an overwhelmingly a dominant factor for water planners. Rapidly emerging data needs to be factored into water modelling which means the review of plans and programs will need to be done more frequently to support adaptive management practices.
Population growth, demographic changes and lifestyle choice will remain a key influences determining water security along with the shifting economic profiles of communities (e.g., from agricultural to urban).
The ‘silo-approach’ to water planning need to be redressed with the adoption of a more community inclusive process with respect to water planning matters.
There is a need to improve knowledge inclusion and shift to more broadly involving the community in water plans and programs, especially younger generations who are often excluded from any consultation.
Environment as a legitimate water user requires a more articulate voice in the planning discussions.
Energy is an emergent game-changer as the conversation on hydropower and hydrogen as a fuel progresses. Energy input costs are also influencing water infrastructure decision (pumping stations, recycling water and desalination plants etc).
So, what is the message for the Granite Belt community? My two thoughts are:
The Granite Belt community would benefit from completing its own Granite Belt Water Futures Study. Obtaining support and funding to conduct a study specifically to address what is a unique hydrological, social, and economic region will have lasting benefits for the Granite Belt community.
Establishing an ongoing community engagement and education programs tailored to the Whole of Granite Belt Community. Community education provides demonstrable benefits when done well and is critical to building water literacy across the community and industry sectors and creating advocacy and community activism to enhance acceptance of water interventions.
Ken Waldron (Sept 2022)