The future: A hydrological SWOT analysis

Abstract

This paper examines how prepared we are to face the future from the narrow perspective of hydrology as it is currently practiced in Australia. The discussion is structured loosely around some selected strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats related to technical, institutional and generational issues. The discussion considers the strengths arising from the established partnership between industry and research, and the weakness in our public sector skills base to facilitate more effective definition and delivery of required national outcomes. It examines the opportunities afforded by the range of federal and state-funded initiatives for investment in the water industry, and considers the threats related to the destruction and degradation of freshwater ecosystems and climate change, and the difficulties of developing and nurturing a workforce that is willing to tackle these problems in a sustained and meaningful fashion. The sustainable management of water resources is a pressing social issue of global concern, and it is argued that we must face the future fully aware of the vital importance of solving the complex problems involved.

Keywords:

• Hydrology
• SWOT analysis
• Future
• water resources
• climate change
• Generation-Y

Additional information

Notes on contributors

R Nathan

Dr Rory Nathan is the Principal Hydrologist with Sinclair Knight Merz. He holds degrees in different aspects of engineering hydrology from the Universities of Melbourne and London. He has over 25 years experience in academic and consulting positions, both here and overseas. Rory’s technical interests are in engineering and environmental hydrology, modelling of hydrological processes, and the analysis of hydrological extremes. He is an Honorary Fellow at the University of Melbourne and at Monash University, and maintains an active research interest in the eWater CRC. He has published over 100 papers in refereed journals and conference proceedings, and has won several national and international awards for his research. In 2000, Rory was named the national Civil Engineer of the Year by the Institution of Engineers Australia.