Water, Decisions Made Today Are Vital To Our Future

The National Council of Young Farmers (Council) provides a communication channel between young people working in agriculture, fisheries and forestry and the Australian Government. The first Council completed their term in March 2007.

One of the key issues the Council identified during their term was water. Water use and its management is a crucial issue facing Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries (agriculture). The Council discussed Australia’s agricultural water use and management and its potential implications for their industries’ future.

The Council initiated a water project which involved a series of interviews and workshops. The result is the report ‘Water, Decisions Made Today Are Vital To Our Future’.

The Council believes that young people in agricultural industries play an important role in:

• managing the health and sustainability of Australia’s riverine systems, groundwater systems and overland water flow;
• ensuring the effective and efficient use of Australia’s water resources; and
• play a key role in managing businesses where water is an essential input.

From this project the National Council of Young Farmers recommends industry and governments:

1. Actively educate and inform young people on key water management issues
2. Support and engage young farmers and young farmer networks
3. Promote good case studies of farmers with cutting edge water management practices

The findings should be used by governments and agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries.

Copies of the report can be downloaded using the link below or emailing aai@daff.gov.au

Water, Decisions Made Today Are Vital To Our Future  [2.2 MB]