Kimberley Graham from WSP Environmental was invited by the QLD Government to talk at an International Water Policy Session in Brisbane on Friday the 5th of September.

The annual Rivers Symposium was held in Brisbane last week. The Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Water utilised this opportunity by hosting an International Water Policy Session, with a focus on irrigation.

The Department invited the following individuals to present:
•    Dr Dajun Shen - China Team Leader for the Water Entitlement & Trading Project
•    Glauco Freitas - Coordinator of the Great Rivers Partnership in Brazil
•    Kimberley Graham - IAL/NPSI Fellowship in 2007 (Which included a survey of irrigation stakeholders views of irrigation policy in Australia and an examination of irrigation policy in China and Brazil. Research Update.)

Dr Dajun Shen made an excellent presentation on the similarities and differences between water policy and implementation in Australia and China.

Glauco Freitas presented an insightful and articulate presentation that detailed the Trends in Water Policy in Brazil.

Kimberley Graham presented findings from her NPSI/IAL Fellowship, which included a survey of Australian irrigation stakeholders and experiences from her tour in China and Brazil. Kimberley also provided QLD specific results from her irrigation stakeholder survey.

An enthusiastic and interesting discussion followed. Towards the conclusion of the session, key topics were identified as potential areas for further learning and collaboration. These included:
•    Education and awareness around water policy and irrigation water use
•    Further learnings for Australia from China and Brazil regarding their experiences in local water management
•    Policy responses
•    Demand management and urban pricing
•    Environmental flows

Pictured in photo (from left to right): Greg Claydon, Natasha McDonald, Dajun Shen, Kimberley Graham, Glauco Freitas, Graeme Milligan and Robert Speed. 

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Kimberley Graham would like to thank the Department of Natural Resources and Water for hosting this session, in particular Greg Claydon and Natasha McDonald for putting in their valuable time and effort to make it happen. Kimberley was fortunate enough to meet Dr Shen and Glauco Freitas on her Fellowship travels and was thrilled to be a part of this rewarding event.