Remote sensing’s role in improving transboundary water regulation and compliance: The Murray-Darling Basin, Australia

Highlights

• The Murray-Darling Basin’s compliance regime has had significant recent changes.

• Remote sensing can play a major role in improving transparency and accountability.

• Cultural aspects of the management of the basin also need to be addressed.

Abstract

Growing agricultural water demand is dramatically affecting the implementation of, and compliance with, water sharing plans in regions such as the Murray-Darling Basin (MDB). Problems can arise from water theft, poor resourcing or questionable actions from stakeholders. Recent actions from MDB governments have resulted in improved regulation, although more is required in a technical, governance and cultural space to create a comprehensive and transparent management framework. This is pivotal in improving overall trust in water regulators. We discuss an integrated water resource management approach for improved water regulation, involving the implementation of remote sensing technologies to complement metering, coupled with a focus on a stronger compliance culture in a range of stakeholder groups and regulatory changes that allow quicker adoption of unbiased best practice science and technology.