Water economics is a branch of environmental and resource economics and involves estimating both the economic value of water in differing contexts and the impact of water scarcity or poor water quality on various outcomes (e.g. health, employment, wellbeing, economy), and in assessing policies and responses (at various institutional levels) to water resource problems and challenges.
The NCGRT has strong capabilities in water economics, including modelling, water market trends, water trade, behavioural analysis, benefit-cost analysis, Murray-Darling Basin Plan issues, water pricing, water accounting, survey expertise, policy and law reform.
Selected Publications
Wheeler, S. A. (2022). Debunking Murray-Darling Basin water trade myths. Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, 66(4), 797-821.
Wheeler, S. A., Zuo, Z., & Kandulu, J. (2021). What water are we really pumping? The nature and extent of surface and groundwater substitutability in Australia and implications for water management policies. Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, 43(4), 1550-1570.
Haensch, J., Wheeler, S. A., & Zuo, A. (2021). Explaining permanent and temporary water market trade patterns within local areas in the southern Murray–Darling Basin. Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, 65(2), 318-348.
Seidl, C., Wheeler, S. A., & Zuo, A. (2020). High turbidity: water valuation and accounting in the Murray-Darling Basin. Agricultural Water Management, 230, 1-13.
Wheeler, S. A., & Garrick, D. E. (2020). A tale of two water markets in Australia: lessons for understanding participation in formal water markets. Oxford Review of Economic Policy, 36(1), 132-153.
Wheeler, S. A., Carmody, E., Grafton, R. Q., Kingsford, R. T., & Zuo, A. (2020). The rebound effect on water extraction from subsidising irrigation infrastructure in Australia. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 159, 104755-1-104755-17.
de Bonviller, S., Zuo, A., & Wheeler, S. A. (2019). Is there evidence of insider trading in Australian water markets?. Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, 63(2), 307-327.
Wheeler, S., & Grafton, R. (2018). Economics of water recovery in the Murray-Darling Basin, Australia. Annual Review of Resource Economics, 10(1), 487-510.
Wheeler, S., & Zuo, Z. (2017). The impact of drought and water scarcity on irrigator farm exit intentions in the Murray-Darling Basin. Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, 61(3), 1-20.
Wheeler, S. A., & Garrick, D. E. (2020). A tale of two water markets in Australia: lessons for understanding participation in formal water markets. Oxford Review of Economic Policy, 36(1), 132-153.
Wheeler, S. A., Carmody, E., Grafton, R. Q., Kingsford, R. T., & Zuo, A. (2020). The rebound effect on water extraction from subsidising irrigation infrastructure in Australia. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 159, 104755-1-104755-17.
de Bonviller, S., Zuo, A., & Wheeler, S. A. (2019). Is there evidence of insider trading in Australian water markets?. Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, 63(2), 307-327.
Wheeler, S., & Grafton, R. (2018). Economics of water recovery in the Murray-Darling Basin, Australia. Annual Review of Resource Economics, 10(1), 487-510.
