Better farm planning through regional partnerships

When farmers understand their on-farm water systems, they are better equipped to manage dry conditions and protect their operations. Across southern NSW, the Farm Water Management Planning project supports landholders by combining practical workshops, field days and tailored audits to help them improve water quality and make informed decisions in challenging seasons.

Charles Sturt University hosts the Southern NSW Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub, funded by the Future Drought Fund, which led the project. The project enabled collaboration across Murray Local Land Servies and local Landcare groups to deliver one-on-one assistance for farmers to develop personalised farm water management plans grounded in evidence gathered from 10 regional demonstration sites.

These sites show how improved infrastructure and careful water monitoring can strengthen business resilience. Farmers report clearer understanding of their systems and many have adopted new approaches to safeguarding water quality during drought. This work advances more resilient regional infrastructure and locally driven innovation.