Developing strong natural resource management policy requires time, investment, and community involvement. But these efforts achieve little without effective implementation and enforcement.
In South Australia’s Mount Lofty Ranges, water allocation plans regulate the volume of water that can be sustainably captured in farm dams. These rules are essential for long‑term water security and ecosystem health. However, recent analysis using high‑resolution imagery has revealed hundreds of illegal dams across the region, posing a significant threat to streamflow, environmental condition, and equitable water sharing.
To address this emerging issue, a coordinated program was established to:
This presentation will demonstrate why addressing non‑compliance is essential for protecting both community and environmental values. It will outline how improved education supports voluntary compliance, and how new remote‑sensing tools can strengthen long‑term surveillance and reduce regulatory burden. Early results from the program will be shared, including successful completion of orders to remove or modify 20 illegal dams and a measurable decline in new offences following targeted compliance action and engagement.
As the region faces increasingly dry and variable conditions, ensuring fair and responsible water use is more critical than ever. Strong rules matter — but actively upholding them matters even more.