This multi-year research project supports the Murray-Darling Basin Authority's continuing development of integrated thinking to inform long-term water governance in the context of a changing climate, economy and society. The project systematically investigates resilience characteristics, adaptation strategies, and drivers of change, directly informing water planning in the Murray-Darling Basin.

Project impact and integration 

The research findings are designed to inform the following key water management initiatives:

• The Sustainable Yields Audit (2025)

• The Murray-Darling Basin Outlook Report (2025)

• The Murray-Darling Basin Plan (2026)

Research leadership 

Associate Professor Leonie Pearson leads a specialised team, including Dr. Jo Mummery, Professor Jacki Schirmer and Professor Lain Dare.

The project addresses complex current challenges, including:

• Understanding and integration of multiple drivers of change

• Practical application of resilience concepts in dynamic contexts

• Uneven distribution of adaptive capacity across the Basin

• Weaving of multiple knowledge systems

• Creating practical insights ready for use in water management now

Project stages

1. Literature synthesis

The first stage of the project involved a comprehensive literature review, with key findings including that:

• The Murry-Darling Basin functions as an integrated social-ecological system requiring pluralistic approaches to measuring change and value

• Resilience must be contextualised ("resilience of what, to what, and for whom") and distinguished between specified threats and generalised resilience

• Climate change emerges as a primary transformation driver, necessitating strategic shifts to anticipatory responses

• Current siloed approaches limit effective management strategies, highlighting the need for integrated frameworks

• First Nations perspectives and knowledge systems are crucial for effective Basin management

To read more and understand specific insights download the report here.

Keep checking back for findings from Stages 2-4 of the project:

2. Investigating Drivers of Change and their Influence across Murray-Darling Basin catchments - if you want to learn more (including about our survey), follow this link.

3. Developing a framework for integrated indicators of Resilience, Adaptation and Drivers of Change (RAD)

4. Continuing stakeholder engagement and knowledge exchange to inform adaptive management approaches

Research collaboration

We welcome engagement from interested stakeholders. For inquiries about collaboration or to provide feedback, please contact Leonie Pearson (leonie.pearson@canberra.edu.au).