The riverine component of the project constructed and tested four policy options including continuation of current policy and approaches aimed at improving the efficiency or lowering the impact of irrigation, or prioritising the protection of the floodplain.
Landscape futures were also analysed under four scenarios of climate change, commodity prices, river flow rates and water prices for impacts over the next fifty years (including a baseline scenario). An additional scenario (S2) of moderate climate change but with the ability to trade water into the region was also modelled
Policy options modelled in the riverine component of the Lower Murray Landscape Futures project.
Policy option |
Short Description |
Current Policy
Irrigation Efficiency
Low Impact Irrigation
Floodplain Protection |
Continuation of current NRM policy including continuing investment in salt interception to offset river salinity growth, current irrigation zoning and management policy, and current water allocation and flow management policy.
Complete adoption of high efficiency irrigation practice across the region and continuation of current NRM policy as in the Baseline scenario.
Reduction by 20% of irrigation in high salinity impact areas through cessation of irrigation or relocation to low impact areas. Again continuation of current NRM policy as in the Baseline scenario is assumed.
Prioritisation of salt interception in locations with floodplain groundwater risk mitigation benefits, investment in flow control structures to enhance inundation, environmental watering, and additional flows. Again continuation of current NRM policy as in the Baseline scenario is assumed. |
The riverine component tested four scenarios of climate change, commodity prices, river flow rates and water prices for impacts over the next fifty years of the project (including a baseline scenario)
|
SB
Baseline |
SB1
Mild Climate Change |
SB2
Moderate Climate Change |
SB3
Severe Climate Change |
S2
Moderate Climate Change |
Temperature |
Historical Mean |
1oC |
2oC |
4oC |
2oC |
Average Annual Rainfall |
Historical Mean |
5% decrease |
15% decrease |
25% decrease |
15% decrease |
Average Annual Basin Inflow |
1975 – 2000
25 year reference sequence levels |
13% decrease |
38% decrease |
63% decrease |
38% decrease
with water trading into region |
Commodity Prices |
Current level |
Current level |
Current level |
50% Higher than Current levels for annual irrigation cropping options |
Current level |
Average Water Lease Price |
$53/ML |
$164/ML |
$250/ML |
$353/ML |
$250/ML
|
Not recommended for Dial up users. |
