Water
Water scarcity is a persistent issue in Australia given the relatively dry and variable climate and now the emergence of climate change. Water is a valuable commodity particularly within agriculture, which accounts for around three quarters of total use. Water is also of value to other industries, households and increasingly environmental agencies.
Australia has a number of well-developed water markets, where water rights are freely traded between end users. Water markets allow Australia’s scarce water resources to be efficiently allocated between competing uses in response to fluctuations in supply and demand.
A key focus of ABARES water research is the collection and analysis of data on water trading in Australia, including the annual Australian Water Markets Report. ABARES also undertakes modelling and analysis on issues of water policy, especially in regards to the implementation of the Murray Darling Basin Plan. In addition, ABARES provides analysis of the irrigated agriculture industry, drawing on data from ABARES survey of irrigation farms in the Murray Darling Basin.
A summary of ABARES research outputs on water is provided below. For access to all ABARES past water research, visit the ABARES publications library.
Water markets information
Water market outlook – August 2019
Australian Water Markets Report 2016-17
Water markets modelling
Water market outlook - March 2019
Future scenarios for the southern Murray–Darling Basin water market
Lessons from the water market: the southern MDB water allocation market 2000-01 to 2015-16
A model of water trade and irrigation activity in the southern Murray-Darling Basin
Water property rights reform
Storage rights and water allocation arrangements in the Murray-Darling Basin
Management of irrigation water storages: carryover rights and capacity sharing
Capacity sharing in the St George and Macintyre Brook irrigation schemes in southern Queensland
Water policy
Lessons from the water market: the southern MDB water allocation market 2000-01 to 2015-16
Meeting environmental objectives in the Murray-Darling Basin
The economic and social effects of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan: recent research and steps
Modelling the economics effects of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan (client report)