Lessons Learned from Public Participation in Water Quality Improvement Planning: A Study from Australia

Abstract

The value of public participation in water planning and management has been recognized in recent years; however, questions remain regarding which processes and factors contribute to appropriate participation. In this article I analyze the participatory processes employed to develop a water quality improvement plan (WQIP) for the Tully–Murray catchment in northeastern Australia using Smiley et al.'s (2010) analytical framework for appropriate public involvement. Three key lessons are drawn from this analysis, which are suggested to guide future research. First, to achieve participation by all relevant stakeholders, participation needs to be institutionalized. Second, the role and relevance of scientific and local knowledge and values for making decisions need clarification. Third, how conflicts, in particular conflicts over competing water uses and values, can be addressed and effectively dealt with deserves further research attention.