Recently there has been an increase in the resources dedicated to economic research and analysis of salinity. The Heartlands and TARGETS projects have just progressed from the planning stage and a component of the funds that were allocated to the NSW Salinity Strategy are being used to undertake analyses of salinity management options. This work follows other studies undertaken by ABARE, CSIRO, UNE and at least two by private consultants. In addition, the Salinity CRC is in the project planning stage and there is a strong prospect that a national initiative led by CSIRO, Animal Production on Saline Land, will be funded next financial year.

With the increase in the level of research activity there is a risk of duplication and the threat of a negative perception of clients, through the appearance of uncoordinated effort. A range of analytical methods has been used for a range of catchments and client groups. It is timely, therefore, that current and past work be reviewed to determine its influence on management and policy decisions, the strengths and limitations of alternative analytical frameworks, the potential for collaboration and value adding to past activity.

A national workshop has been organised to review the effectiveness of economic studies of salinity management options in influencing decisions makers and to identify the gaps in current knowledge. The first day will provide a national and state context for salinity management and the role of economics in ensuring economically efficient management of the problem. The second day will be spent reviewing mathematical models. It is intended that the discussion focus on: (i) technical issues to assist others to determine the most appropriate methods for a range of problems, (ii) the influence of the work on client groups and (iii) the gaps in current economic understanding of salinity.

This information is likely to be useful in setting economic research priorities, identifying appropriate methods of analysis and assisting to target economic research to maximise its impact on salinity management.

Participants will be invited from all mainland states, from national and state level research organisations to present current and past research methods and results.

The costs of conducting the workshop will be met by the NSW State Salinity Strategy and the Murray Darling Basin Commission.

Presenters included:

Rob Young (NSW Agriculture)

Scott Keyworth (MDBC)

David Pannell (UWA/Salinity CRC)

Andrew Bathgate (NSW Agriculture)

Laura Kuginis (DLWC)

Keith Helyar (NSW Agriculture)

Christine Hill (DLWC)

Suzanne Wilson and Ian Laurie (Ivey ATP)

Mike Young (CSIRO Land and Water)

Bill Watson

Mark Eigenraam (DNRE)

Lisa Brennan (APSRU)

Romy Greiner (CSIRO)

Russell Gorddard (CSIRO)

Colin Mues (ABARE)

For more details, contact Andrew Bathgate: andrew.bathgate@agric.nsw.gov.au