Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Contextual objectives are typically broad and generic in nature. While it is
possible to simply paste them directly into a water resource plan, we argue that
to achieve the previously stated purposes for having objectives in a water resource
plan, it is important for objectives to be tailored down to be more focused and
locally relevant, for example by referring to specific local environmental assets,
towns, irrigation districts, communities, etc. A situational analysis assessment
as described in Chapter 5 can provide the basis for doing this.
A stakeholder analysis that identifies water system benefits and benefi-
ciaries will point to potential objectives for the water resource plan in a way
that is locally relevant. The potential objectives are simply the maintenance
or achievement of each of those benefits. Applying an ecosystem services
approach in the stakeholder analysis as discussed in Chapter 5 can ensure that
the full range of potential economic, social and environmental benefits, and
consequently objectives, are identified.
Second, the assessments of the water requirements of identified benefits,
and the current state of and risk to those water requirements (also described
in Chapter 5), can lead to an indication of the extent to which the water
resource plan might contribute to the achievement of the objectives.
Given this information, potential objectives can be identified, sorted and
prioritised according to criteria such as the following:
O
objectives that reflect broader contextual requirements, including any
required topics and minimum conditions;
O
the extent of potential benefits associated with the objective, or the risk if
the objective was not to be achieved;
O
connected objectives, i.e. where achievement of one objective contributes
to another;
O
the extent that factors outside of the scope of the plan affect the
achievement of the objective, and the risk that those factors will govern
regardless;
O
objectives reflecting benefits most at risk from the continuation of current
water management arrangements;
O
the extent that the water resource plan could contribute to the achievement
of the objective.
To be of value in the planning process, objectives should be comprehensive of
all significant benefits that can be affected by the plan, but at the same time
be focused on benefits where the plan is most likely to make a substantial
difference. Ranking of objectives based on the above criteria can lead to a
clearer understanding about what aspects the plan should focus on. Decisions
can be made to drop some lower-ranking potential objectives in favour of a
clearer focus on objectives where the most can be gained.
It is also important to have a level of flexibility, allowing objectives to be
altered as the planning process proceeds and further information and insights
are revealed.
