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Title: PARTICIPATORY MULTIPLE OBJECTIVE DECISION MAKING PROCESSES: EMERGING APPROACHES WITH NEW CHALLENGES 1311

Author
item LAWRENCE, P.A. - DNR, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRA.
item SHAW, R.J. - DNR, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRA.
item Lane, Leonard
item EISNER, R. - DNR, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRA.

Submitted to: American Society Of Civil Engineers Watershed Management Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/18/2000
Publication Date: 6/6/2000
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Evaluation of watershed management options has been facilitated by the development of multiple objective decision support systems to evaluate trade-offs between numerous and possibly conflicting objectives. However, the implementation of such tools requires a methodology to maximize 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 prioritize 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. 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.

Technical Abstract: The move towards a systems-based approach to evaluate watershed management options has been facilitated by the development of multiple objective decision support systems to evaluate trade-offs between numerous and possibly conflicting objectives. However, the implementation of such tools requires a methodology to maximize 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 prioritize 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. 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.