Model solutions to Great Barrier Reef problems

To help solve environmental and economic problems in the Great Barrier Reef region, Water for a Healthy Country scientists are developing a ‘what if’ model that can evaluate policy changes related to water quality and quantity.  Catchments are aggregated into five regions - Wet Tropics, Burdekin, Mackay-Whitsunday, Fitzroy and Burnett-Mary.  These equate to social regions including the natural resource management groups working to implement the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan.

The ‘What if’ or ‘Policy Impact Assessment’ model will help test the consequences of policy options on the socio-economics, ecology and hydrology of the regions by integrating across these three dimensions.  

On top of the model sits a database of information on the economic activity in 34 sectors including sugarcane, horticulture, mining, fishing and tourism in the five regions.

The model captures the non-market benefits of water use such as the benefits gained from clean water for drinking or swimming in; for protecting the diversity and abundance of fishing species; and for promoting visually pleasing landscapes. Quantifying trade-offs between market and non-market values is key as we strive for the long term solutions to catchment, coast and coral health. 

To assist our further refinement of the model we encourage your feedback. Please direct any comments to Alex Smajgl.

More information contact:
Dr Alex Smajgl
CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems
+ 61 7 4753 8615
alex.smajgl@csiro.au

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The Water for a Healthy Country Flagship is a CSIRO initiative and part of the National Research Flagships program that aims to deliver scientific solutions to advance Australia's most important national objectives. One of the largest scientific initiatives ever mounted in Australia, it aligns closely with the Federal Government's National Research Priorities. The initiative brings together our national research resources to deliver breakthroughs in fields ranging from healthcare to light metals and the environment.