Latest news
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Message from Watertrust CEO Karen Hutchinson
21 July 2026
Watertrust Australia is a systems change organisation. Our mission is to achieve better and fairer water outcomes for Australia. We do this by bringing deliberation into the mix in the complex and contentious water space to resolve policy deadlocks.
It means being here for the long haul. Our work takes time and patience, and success is likely to be incremental. It does not mean you can’t have impact along the way. In fact, visible, relevant impact is essential to our work.
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Second annual gathering
27 September 2023
On 31 August 2023, we held our second annual gathering of Watertrust Australia, aka our 'jamboree'. With our board, advisors, team and a few special guests we delved into what it takes to achieve better decision-making processes for water policy.
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Reflecting on our second year
30 June 2023
As Watertrust approaches its second anniversary, we are proud of our progress in the challenging water policy space. Our team has built productive relationships and co-developed a portfolio of impactful projects. Trust is essential in decision-making, and we are committed to improving processes in water policy.
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Using data to make better water decisions
03 May 2023
We tell stories with data to engage and inform water policy stakeholders to open out policy, challenge ‘magical thinking’ and increase the potential for conversation and dialogue on contentious water policy issues.
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Equity, fairness and justice in water policy reform
14 April 2023
Australia's water policy reforms of the last 30 years have prioritised efficiency gains from microeconomic reform alongside limited return of water to the environment and Indigenous cultural use. These reforms have met resistance often underpinned by narratives that reforms have been unfair and unjust.
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First Nations engagement in water policy reform
26 March 2023
Australia's existing water policy and management regimes do not always easily align with and integrate First Nations’ water rights, economic development aspirations or responsibilities to Country. In fact, when it comes to Australia's inland waters, First Nations people have fewer rights and less engagement in decision-making compared with their established land and sea rights.
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Measuring impact in our evaluation framework
06 January 2023
The Watertrust model presents a unique challenge for evaluation because we seek to effect change in complex systems. Rather than trying to measure impact, our evaluation approach needs to test our relevance, effectiveness, and contributions while remaining humble and avoiding claims that cannot be substantiated.