The development of land planning tools will require concurrent work in biophysical, economic and social modelling. Landholders are reluctant to implement groundwater recharge management systems at present because of uncertainty about effectiveness or economic returns. Hydrological impacts of salinisation will extend over entire river systems. Modelling of this is required to assess changes in flood regime, salt loads, externalised benefits and costs, and impacts on river and vegetation health. The complexity and risk associated with extensive change in farming systems developed in the priority catchments requires that the extension methodology remains effective.
Continuous evaluation is required.
With the lack of experience and numbers of extension personnel, there is concern that current techniques and inputs from catchment support teams will not lead to the level of change in farm practice that is possible right now. Agencies and landholders are spending extensively in focus and recovery catchments without adequate assessment of the efficiency or effectiveness of this approach. Engineering methods of addressing excess water and salinity problems Engineering may be required to protect rural infrastructure and threatened natural resources. Drainage is also a technique used extensively by farmers. However, the effectiveness of drainage in ameliorating salinity requires clarification.