Social, economic and cultural outcomes

Aerial view of Condobolin, New South Wales

Research Theme Leads: La Trobe University, Griffith University and Murray Lower Darling Indigenous Nations (MLDRIN)

Human communities rely on healthy ecosystems for their wellbeing and survival. Degraded landscapes and waterways impact the social, emotional, physical, and financial health of people and communities.

This theme seeks to better understand the values of water and how water for the environment provides social and economic benefits to Basin communities. The lessons from the research will inform water management decisions and regional development policy, as well as the Basin Plan’s adaptive management.

This theme has 3 core components:

  • exploring the relationship between riverine health and benefits to Basin communities
  • investigating how the cultural, economic, and social outcomes for First Nations people can be improved
  • improving understanding of how Basin communities can adapt to a future with less water.

The projects under the Social, Economic, and Cultural outcomes theme will produce rigorous science-based evidence of a broad range of factors that impact the social, economic, and cultural life of the Basin. The research theme aims to broaden the concept of ‘social’ to include communities, as well as broadening the concept of ‘economic’ to include other water-dependent industries (such as tourism) than irrigation and agriculture. Collecting science-based and reliable information about social, economic and cultural conditions in the Basin will be vital to inform future modelling to ensure resilience and sustainability.

Why is this work important?

This research fills key gaps in our understanding of social, economic and cultural outcomes from water management. Basin communities rely on healthy ecosystems for their wellbeing and survival. Degraded landscapes and waterways impact the social, emotional, physical, and financial health of people and communities. This theme focusses on the relationship between riverine health and social and economic wellbeing through the ecosystem services being provided by working rivers. These links include the recreation and tourism benefits that arise from healthy ecosystems, and the benefits for First Nations people from cultural, social, and economic uses and values of water.

Summary of draft key questions, outputs, and outcomes for the Social, Economic and Cultural Outcomes theme.

Key research questionsKey research outputs and outcomes
  • What is the relationship between the condition of the riverine ecosystem and social, economic and cultural values?
  • What are and how can the cultural, economic, and social outcomes for first nations people be improved?
  • How can communities adapt to and be more resilient to a future with less water? What makes a community more resilient and adaptable to a future with less water?
  • Improved understanding of the value of healthy river ecosystems to mental health and cultural wellbeing of people and communities, and to recreation and tourism in the basin.
  • Identified First Nations aspirations, access to and use of water, developed water action plans and designed a real-world water delivery process. Improved understanding of First Nations’ knowledge of water and perspectives on the relationship between water access, agency, self-determination and wellbeing.
  • A new basin-wide social and biophysical data platform that will enhance research. New social mapping of community pathways for resilience, and production of ‘story maps’ to increase understanding of how communities navigate change.


Any enquiries can be sent to MDWERP@mdba.gov.au.

Research Theme Leads: La Trobe University, Griffith University and Murray Lower Darling Indigenous Nations (MLDRIN)

Human communities rely on healthy ecosystems for their wellbeing and survival. Degraded landscapes and waterways impact the social, emotional, physical, and financial health of people and communities.

This theme seeks to better understand the values of water and how water for the environment provides social and economic benefits to Basin communities. The lessons from the research will inform water management decisions and regional development policy, as well as the Basin Plan’s adaptive management.

This theme has 3 core components:

  • exploring the relationship between riverine health and benefits to Basin communities
  • investigating how the cultural, economic, and social outcomes for First Nations people can be improved
  • improving understanding of how Basin communities can adapt to a future with less water.

The projects under the Social, Economic, and Cultural outcomes theme will produce rigorous science-based evidence of a broad range of factors that impact the social, economic, and cultural life of the Basin. The research theme aims to broaden the concept of ‘social’ to include communities, as well as broadening the concept of ‘economic’ to include other water-dependent industries (such as tourism) than irrigation and agriculture. Collecting science-based and reliable information about social, economic and cultural conditions in the Basin will be vital to inform future modelling to ensure resilience and sustainability.

Why is this work important?

This research fills key gaps in our understanding of social, economic and cultural outcomes from water management. Basin communities rely on healthy ecosystems for their wellbeing and survival. Degraded landscapes and waterways impact the social, emotional, physical, and financial health of people and communities. This theme focusses on the relationship between riverine health and social and economic wellbeing through the ecosystem services being provided by working rivers. These links include the recreation and tourism benefits that arise from healthy ecosystems, and the benefits for First Nations people from cultural, social, and economic uses and values of water.

Summary of draft key questions, outputs, and outcomes for the Social, Economic and Cultural Outcomes theme.

Key research questionsKey research outputs and outcomes
  • What is the relationship between the condition of the riverine ecosystem and social, economic and cultural values?
  • What are and how can the cultural, economic, and social outcomes for first nations people be improved?
  • How can communities adapt to and be more resilient to a future with less water? What makes a community more resilient and adaptable to a future with less water?
  • Improved understanding of the value of healthy river ecosystems to mental health and cultural wellbeing of people and communities, and to recreation and tourism in the basin.
  • Identified First Nations aspirations, access to and use of water, developed water action plans and designed a real-world water delivery process. Improved understanding of First Nations’ knowledge of water and perspectives on the relationship between water access, agency, self-determination and wellbeing.
  • A new basin-wide social and biophysical data platform that will enhance research. New social mapping of community pathways for resilience, and production of ‘story maps’ to increase understanding of how communities navigate change.


Any enquiries can be sent to MDWERP@mdba.gov.au.

Page last updated: 17 Jul 2023, 02:30 PM