Water demands are growing and climate change is altering water systems in Tasmania. Tasmania’s Rural Water Use Strategy (RWUS) provides a framework of water reforms to improve how water is managed, monitored and shared across rural Tasmania.
This poster showcases the research being applied through the Rural Water Use Strategy to improve outcomes for freshwater ecosystems and water users.
Key initiatives include updating catchment yield and water availability estimates using the latest climate science, assessing groundwater resources supported by comprehensive on-ground surveys, research to understand the factors influencing waterway health, and establishing a statewide collaborative water quality monitoring program.
Current work includes palaeoclimate research to improve understanding of long-term climate variability; design of a new water quality monitoring network; development of a framework to prioritise catchments for improved water accountability; drought planning for the Bass Strait Islands; and assessments of water quality and river health to identify key pressures and management responses; and understanding cultural water needs and aspirations.
A key focus of the RWUS is collaboration between government agencies, researchers, water entities, industry and stakeholders to address emerging challenges associated with climate variability and changing demands for water. The RWUS Program is staged to support scientific findings being translated into practical policy improvements, including updates to water accountability and allocation frameworks and everyday water management decisions.
By linking research, monitoring and policy development, the RWUS demonstrates the value of applied freshwater science in supporting evidence-based policy and adaptive management. This work helps ensure future water development delivers economic benefits while protecting the health and resilience of Tasmania’s freshwater ecosystems. The poster highlights current projects, key learnings and future priorities for integrating science into water policy and planning.