Blueprint for Regional Water Productivity launched

A national water management blueprint was launched at the University of Melbourne today by Minister for the Environment Greg Hunt. The Blueprint for Regional Water Productivity aims to position Australia as a world leader in water resource management, with improved water productivity and increased export incomes.

The blueprint was developed as part of the Carlton Connect Initiative, led by Professor Peter Scales from the Melbourne School of Engineering. It will provide an innovative and collaborative framework, relevant from the farm scale to the national level, and will guide efforts to tackle a range of water management issues.

“We have some major objectives in mind,” said Professor Scales. “We want to look at irrigated and rain-fed agriculture that takes advantage of variable water availability. We know that environmental water management is underpinned by a strong evidence base.

“The project will also look at efficient water distribution and markets that promote multiple benefits and planning that will enrich regional communities.”

Achievement of the objectives will result in a more sustainable approach to economic development and help create more resilient regional communities.

The blueprint can be downloaded from http://carltonconnect.efront-dev.com.au/water/.