**Jackie O'Sullivan 1,\*, Carmel Pollino 1, Peter Taylor 2, Ashmita Sengupta <sup>1</sup> and Amit Parashar <sup>1</sup>**


Received: 31 May 2020; Accepted: 21 August 2020; Published: 26 August 2020

**Abstract:** Water resources are under growing pressures globally, and better basin planning is crucial to alleviate current and future water scarcity issues. Communicating the complex interconnections and needs of natural and human systems is a significant research challenge. With advances in cyberinfrastructure allowing for new innovative approaches to basin planning, this same technology can also facilitate better stakeholder engagement. The potential benefits of using digital basin planning platforms for stakeholder engagement are immense; yet, there is limited guidance on how to best use these platforms for more effective stakeholder engagement in water-related issues and projects. We detail our digital platform, Basin Futures, and highlight the potential uses for stakeholder engagement through an integrative framework across different assessment levels. Basin Futures is a web application that is an entry-level modelling tool that aims to support rapid and exploratory basin planning globally. As a cloud-based tool, it brings together high-performance computing and large-scale global datasets to make data analysis accessible and efficient. We explore the potential use of the tool through three case studies exploring agricultural development, transboundary water-sharing agreements and allocating water for environmental flows.

**Keywords:** river basin planning; digital platforms; stakeholder engagement; integrated water resource management

#### **1. Introduction**

Water resources are under growing pressures globally, with nearly 80% of the world's population are exposed to a high level of threats stemming from water insecurity [1–3]. Water insecurity is manifested through physical shortages, failure of institutions or lack of infrastructure [4]. Shortages in water impact on people's health, livelihoods, ecosystems and the ability to produce food [4–6]. It also impacts a nation's ability to achieve Sustainable Development Goals. Water resource issues are driven by inter-dependencies between hydrological, social, economic and ecological needs in river, lake and aquifer basins. Communicating the complex interconnections and needs of natural and human systems is a significant research challenge [7]. Better water planning is crucial, and if water management habits do not change, the global demand for water could increase by 50% by 2030 [8]. In the face of climate change, population growth, economic development and increased water demand, these inter-dependencies require more integrated approaches to developing and managing water and land resources [9].

The use of technology has advanced significantly in the last 20 years. The expansion in the capabilities of computing power and cyberinfrastructure provides a new approach to address water resource issues and engagement with society [10]. Complex interconnections and unprecedented changes between natural and human systems are recognised as a significant research challenge [7]. There is a growing need for long-term strategic basin planning that crosses sectors and jurisdictions

to encapsulate changes in water resources. Innovative and technologically advanced solutions are required to manage water resources and facilitate stakeholder engagement in an accountable and non-discriminatory manner [7,10].

There are numerous economic, environmental and social benefits to be gained from effectively engaging with stakeholders at the basin level in water policies and projects [11–14]. Stakeholder engagement is often undertaken in an ad-hoc and ineffective manner. Implementing a digital stakeholder engagement strategy can dramatically improve stakeholder participation and outcomes [15–17]. The use of digital platforms assists in providing a more transparent and authentic stakeholder engagement program and therefore improving the likelihood of engagement. Digital tools provide accountable and transparent information to reassure the public of the evidence base underpinning water management plans and proposals [18]. This accountability and ability to reach more participants in a non-discriminatory manner aligns with the principles of good water governance of Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) [3]. New cloud technologies for the data-intensive world can provide the ability to analyse and integrate the vast and complex historic and current environmental information to manageable levels [19]. Cloud technology can help to visualise issues and options to make it easier to gain creative insights and build collaborations with stakeholders [19].

Alleviating water security challenges requires basic information on water resources [20]. This information includes knowing how much water is available, where it is distributed and how it will change under scenarios of development and climate change. Data and models are often used to address these questions. However, data are fragmented, difficult to access and process and models require significant expense, time to develop, and advanced capability and capacity to use. As a result, it can be difficult and expensive to support the basic information needs to overcome water scarcity and for stakeholders to speak a common language. Basin Futures was developed in response to our experiences working in Australia and internationally on potential water resource developments and complex water management issues. During this time, we noticed users spent a lot of time in data discovery, transformation and understanding complex modelling software. This resulted in limited uptake and the use of tools which limited the level of engagement and participation of stakeholders in water-related issues. We detail our digital observatory platform, Basin Futures, and highlight the potential uses for stakeholder engagement through an integrative framework. We explore the potential use of the tool through three case studies exploring agricultural development, transboundary water-sharing agreements and allocating water for environmental flows.
