Integrating knowledge to inform water quality planning in the Tully–Murray basin, Australia

F. J. Kroon; C. J. Robinson; A. P. Dale

doi:10.1071/MF08349

RESEARCH ARTICLE

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Integrating knowledge to inform water quality planning in the Tully–Murray basin, Australia

F. J. Kroon ^A , C. J. Robinson ^B ^D and A. P. Dale ^C

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, PO Box 780, Atherton, Qld 4883, Australia.

^B CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, 306 Carmody Road, St Lucia, Qld 4067, Australia.

^C Terrain Regional NRM Inc., 88 Rankin Street, Innisfail, PO Box 1756, Innisfail, Qld 4860, Australia.

^D Corresponding author. Email: catherine.robinson@csiro.au

Marine and Freshwater Research 60(11) 1183-1188 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF08349
Submitted: 17 December 2008 Accepted: 3 June 2009 Published: 17 November 2009

Abstract

Decentralised approaches to water governance have emerged as a common approach to tackle complex environmental management issues in Australia and elsewhere. While decentralisation offers hope for a more holistic, integrated and effective approach to environmental planning decisions and solutions, challenges remain to put these ideals into practice. The present paper focuses on a key component of this approach to environmental planning and decision-making – the integration of different types of knowledge used to inform planning goals and the design of water quality management programs. The analysis draws on knowledge integration issues surrounding the water quality improvement plan in the Tully–Murray basin in north-eastern Australia. Here, government and non-government stakeholders are coordinating efforts to assess water quality condition and set management priorities for improving the quality of water entering the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage coastal lagoon. Our analysis of the kinds of knowledge and mechanisms of translation involved highlights three main points. First, the tensions between the uncertainty and bias in different types of knowledge brought to the planning table. Second, the timing of knowledge contributions that affects if and how knowledge contributions can be debated and integrated. Finally, the challenges faced by local collaborative groups to broker the translation and integration of knowledge needed to inform strategic environmental decisions and programs.

Additional keywords: boundary organisations, collaboration, Great Barrier Reef catchments, local knowledge, watershed planning.

Acknowledgements

This work is part of the Coastal Catchment Initiative, Natural Heritage Trust, funded by the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. Additional funding was provided through the CSIRO’s Water for a Healthy Country Flagship Program and the Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility. The authors acknowledge Marcus Lane, Rachel Eberhard, Stewart Evans and one anonymous reviewer whose feedback improved earlier versions of the manuscript.

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