System Harmonisation Story

REINVENTING IRRIGATION CATCHMENTS
The System Harmonisation Story
Keith L. Bristow and Tim Stubbs

To order a copy of this book please email comms@irrigationfutures.org.au

The CRC for Irrigation Futures’ System Harmonisation program has involved considerable technical analysis and detailed modelling by a range of researchers and stakeholders. However more than any other program of the CRC it has involved people. People trying to work together and resolve long standing differences, people trying to challenge the status quo and change the way things are done.
At a local level this work has had varied levels of impact. However whatever the level of impact the key thing is that people have tried something different, have tried to forge a way forward and from this trying always comes learning.
There will be many technical reports that come out of the System Harmonisation program which will contain valuable information but they will not tell the stories of people and their experiences. This book attempts to capture those stories, their ups and downs, and most importantly the learning that has come from the experience. The stories have come directly from the people involved; they are real, honest and sometimes confronting.

From the stories it would be easy to find fault with the System Harmonisation program and even the ideals and goals that lead to its development and ultimate implementation. This though would be a very short-sighted response. The System Harmonisation program has taken the first step out of a comfort zone that was leading to degradation of our environment, irrigation industries and communities.
The first step is always the hardest; it will have the most ups and downs, successes and disappointments. However once that first step has been taken, the second is always easier and then the third easier again. The CRC IF has risked much by taking this first step but by taking risk much has been gained. It is now up to others to learn from this first step and then take the second and then the third, the fourth, the.......
The audience for this book is anybody interested in taking on this learning and playing a part in the next step. Whether you are reading it to better understand how to take the next step, or to inform research, or simply out of interest hopefully you will take something out of the stories and experiences of those that have been ­involved so far. The writing style has intentionally been relatively informal and accessible in an attempt to appeal too many.