Integrating spatially disaggregated stakeholders' knowledge and opinions to enhance water governance in the Murray–Darling Basin

Effective river basin governance requires integrating diverse stakeholder knowledge and opinions to achieve sustainable environmental, economic and cultural outcomes. However, a measurable method for integrating these perspectives remains undeveloped. This study aims to assess the knowledge and opinions of spatially diverse stakeholders regarding the policy initiatives in the Murray–Darling Basin (MDB) from 2009 to 2021, focusing on the catchments with the misalignment between basin conditions and policy across environmental, economic and cultural dimensions. The analysis identifies significant misalignments in the Lower Murray, Barwon–Darling–Lower Darling, Gwydir and Murrumbidgee catchments, where economic priorities dominate basin conditions while environmental concerns are emphasised in policy development. Environmental advocacy and academic groups are the main drivers of reform, while agricultural stakeholders, Catchment Management Authorities and Indigenous groups present obstacles to progress. These groups require more focused engagement to facilitate governance shifts. The findings underscore the need for targeted consultation to better align policy and basin conditions.