What are the impacts of each management strategy?


Once alternative management strategies have been formulated, they need to be assessed for their social, economic and environmental implications. The following tools and examples might assist with individual social, economic and environmental assessments.

Social impacts

Capacity assessment tool This tool is designed to help people to think about, and work through, the issues associated with their capacity to engage in riparian restoration works (Land and Water Australia).

Guidelines and principles for social impact assessment These Guidelines were prepared by the The Interorganizational Committee on Guidelines and Principles for Social Impact Assessment, 1994 (PDF download, NOAA fisheries).

A triple-bottom-line assessment of basins within the Great Barrier Reef catchment in relation to their sediment, nutrient and pesticide discharges and potential impact of the Great Barrier Reef.

Social assessment of natural resource management institutions An example of a social impact assessment (PDF download CSIRO Publishing)

The following documents provide examples of social impact assessments in the River Murray in Australia (Murray Darling Basin Commission) :

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Economic impacts

Socio-economic impact assessment toolkit
The toolkit is guide to assessing the socio-economic impacts of Marine Protected Areas in Australia (DEH)

Environmental economics Examples and guides and techniques for people wishing to undertake economic impact valuations ( Qld EPA); Soci-economic assessment of water reforms in NSW An example of a socio-economic impact assessment (NSW DPI)

Environmental impacts

Environmental modelling tools Links to environmental modelling tools (e.g. catchment models) for water quality issues in your area (Coastal CRC); Integrated Water Assessment Decision Support System (Coastal CRC)

Environmental Impact Assessments for the Great Barrier Reef(Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority)

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