Optimism builds for collaborative next steps in snowy waters review
A collaborative effort to find the best possible future policy for the health of the Upper Murrumbidgee has taken another step forward, with Watertrust Australia releasing a report of the outcomes from our recent Decision Sketch workshop, held in Canberra in mid-November.
At the workshop, a diverse group of stakeholders gathered at the National Arboretum to explore how structured decision making (SDM) could support decisions about flows for the Upper Murrumbidgee, with potential to play a role in the upcoming review of how the snowy waters will be managed.
Led by international SDM experts Brian Crawford and Michael Harstone from Compass Resource Management, the workshop looked at the Upper Murrumbidgee as a “mock case study” to examine key issues, potential options, and trade-offs, building a shared understanding of the SDM process and assessing key questions and uncertainties that would need to be addressed to move forward.
Although the participants represented various interests in the Upper Murrumbidgee, it was clear that they shared at least one common goal: to achieve something better for the river.
Watertrust’s report includes further case studies that were explored at the workshop, including one from Cowichan Watershed in British Columbia, where an SDM process was completed successfully in less than a year, despite it being the “stickiest” case in the region.
Over the two days of the workshop, participants stepped quickly through an SDM process where they were able to talk about a range of scenarios, share knowledge and ideas, learn from each other and gain new perspectives.
One attendee commented, “Just being in the room is such a benefit, learning from each other. It’s a real win to proceed with this and I hope it happens.”
A sense of optimism was reflected around the room throughout the workshop, tempered by a shared recognition of the need for clear and actionable steps forward. The workshop showcased SDM’s potential to enhance collaborative decision making for the Upper Murrumbidgee and possibly the larger review of the Snowy Water Inquiry Outcomes Implementation Deed.
Watertrust Australia’s report has been sent to all of the workshop participants which included senior members from various levels of government involved in future policy creation for the Upper Murrumbidgee. It is also available for the public to read via the link below.