Title: Social impacts of reduced water availability in Australia's Murray Darling Basin: adaptation or maladaptation

Authors: Margaret Alston; Kerri Whittenbury

Addresses: Gender, Leadership and Social Sustainability (GLASS) Research Unit, Caulfield Campus, Monash University, Australia ' Gender, Leadership and Social Sustainability (GLASS) Research Unit, Caulfield Campus, Monash University, Australia

Abstract: This paper outlines water reform policy in Australia's Murray-Darling Basin area. Drawing on research with key informants and farm family members, it notes the significant social impacts in the communities in the region and the limits to adaptation evident amongst people in these areas. It outlines the vulnerability of individuals and communities and notes the need for actions to build resilience and to enable transformation in these areas. With this in mind, policy strategies are outlined that may assist long-term social sustainability in this region.

Keywords: water policy; social impacts; adaptation; vulnerability; resilience; transformation; reduced availability; water availability; Australia; Murray Darling Basin; water shortage; social sustainability.

DOI: 10.1504/IJW.2014.057777

International Journal of Water, 2014 Vol.8 No.1, pp.34 - 47

Received: 15 Aug 2011
Accepted: 07 Feb 2012

Published online: 16 Oct 2014 *

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