Public Servants as Sustainability Policy Entrepreneurs in Australia: The Issues And Outcomes

Freshwater and its allocation between competing users and uses has always been conflict ridden, but the intensity of these conflicts has escalated in recent history because of increased urbanization, changes in diet, increased population and several local factors (Dirksen, 2002). The escalation of conflict in Australia has been the result of relatively recent policies since 1994 that require ecologically sustainable development (ESD) to be pursued. This in practice means that the environment is now a player and must be considered in water allocation processes (McKay, 2010). Australia has several well-developed state and national processes to incorporate this policy, and the technique selected is the regional water allocation plan.