For more than a decade, Professor Sarah Wheeler has sought to change national water policy for the benefit of South Australia and the entire Murray-Darling Basin system.
Alongside her academic research as Professor of Water Economics at University of Adelaide, Professor Wheeler has engaged extensively on water policy with government and industry.
Of particular focus has been her work advocating for the most effective policy options to return water to rivers within the Basin. Advocating for increased buyback of irrigator entitlements is fraught with conflict, given the popular narrative about the socio-economic impacts of buybacks by major irrigator groups.
Taking such a stance in calling for water policy reform and being critical of politically-motivated water changes – along with the call for continued buyback of water entitlements – has caused conflict with politicians, irrigator lobby groups, and other water organisations.
Despite significant opposition, Professor Wheeler continues to provide top-level scientific expertise on the Murray-Darling Basin alongside her unwavering advocacy for our country’s greatest Rivers.
Presented by Conservation Council SA in partnership with Green Adelaide, Department for Environment and Water and University of Adelaide Environment Institute.