Project Description
In certain areas, key aquifers of the Great Artesian Basin (GAB), Australia, are experiencing continued declining water-level
trends. This has been accompanied by heated conflicts between water users and a lack of trust in governance arrangements,
particularly since the introduction of coal-seam gas development. These outcomes suggest current and historic unsustainable
groundwater extraction within the GAB. An analysis of the current governance framework using Ostrom’s (1990) design
principles for common pool resources reveals several management challenges which appear to create incentives for individualistic behaviours. Historic legislative approaches provide additional insight into key factors that have influenced decision-making.
Project Personnel and Beneficiaries
Jacqui Robertson
Outcomes to Date
Robertson, J, Challenges in sustainably managing groundwater in the Australian Great Artesian Basin: lessons from current and historic legislative regimes (2020) 28 Hydrogeology Journal 343
Project Significance
This research has implications for the future management of the GAB. Acknowledging these current and historic challenges will
facilitate changing attitudes and behaviours so as to elevate the communal status of the resource and progress towards sustainable
management of the basin.
Related Link
External link to https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10040-019-02047-3