Participatory Multiple Objective Decision Making Processes: Emerging Approaches with New Challenges

For effective watershed management, data, technology and science need to be integrated with social, environmental and economic elements while recognising spatial and temporal variability. In Queensland, Australia, the direction in natural resource management is towards transparent, multi-objective, multi-stakeholder partnerships between government, industry and community groups for the allocation and use of watershed resources. This means holistic, transdisciplinary approaches to the sustainable, multiple use of resources are required, and that the process of engaging watershed stakeholders is both effective and efficient. The move towards a systems-based approach to evaluate management options has been facilitated by the development of multiple objective decision support systems (MODSS) to evaluate trade-offs between numerous and possibly conflicting objectives. However, the implementation of such tools requires a methodology to maximise participation by stakeholders and to ensure the decision making process is equitable, constructive and effective. This paper describes the process and initial outcomes where a multi-stakeholder, participatory decision making approach is used to evaluate and prioritise proposed water infrastructure developments in northern Queensland, Australia. The study examines four possible dam sites, each with three spillway heights, and is promoted by the Queensland Department of Natural Resources (QDNR). What emerges from this study is that the outcomes are dependent on the process of facilitation as much as the utility of a multiple objective decision support system. In addition, there is a better opportunity for the stakeholders to identify a "consensus" option when they are involved early in the process, and there is sufficient time to allow the stakeholders to explore scenarios in order to satisfy their concerns and preferences.