Australian irrigators’ recognition of the need for more environmental water flows and intentions to donate water allocations

Abstract

Future water policy strategies to address low environmental flows in the River Murray in Australia may include the continued development of programmes for irrigators to donate water. We identify and control for the interdependence between irrigators' recognition of the need for increased flows and their stated intention to donate seasonal allocations over time. The increased uncertainty of seasonal water allocations played one of the largest roles in negatively influencing both recognition and intention. An increase in the opportunity cost of water donation over time was negatively associated with intention. The identification of significant willingness to donate allocations supports the movement towards a more adaptive water policy approach.