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Murray SmithMurray has 36 years’ experience with knowledge and skills relating to management and development of natural resources and the agricultural activities reliant on the sustainable development of such resources. This includes infrastructure planning and development, resource management, irrigation planning, design and extension, project management, and policy development. Planning has involved engineering, soils – land use relationships, environmental, social and cultural elements.
Murray’s collaboration with research bodies, industries, community and Government was recognised by his inclusion in the team (Water for a Healthy Country Flagship – Irrigation Team) which was awarded the CSIRO Medal for Research Achievement for 2007. Murray was the project leader for a range of Natural Resource Assessment and Water Infrastructure Planning Studies (including the Gulf, Cape York, Upper Herbert and Atherton Tableland/Cairns Regions) in 2000-2001 when with the DNRM. As CEO of the Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project (NVIRP), Murray was responsible for developing the necessary funding business cases and led the largest irrigation modernisation project in Australia’s history ($2.2 billion). When CEO of Coleambally Irrigation they set the world benchmark for water distribution efficiency for open channel systems, 90% - a figure not achieved by many piped systems. Recently Murray led the prefeasibility studies for the development of up to 15,000 ha of irrigated sugarcane, sugar mill, cogeneration facility and related infrastructure associated with the Ord Stage 2 and a similar larger scaled development in the Upper Burdekin. |
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Services
Irrigation
Agriculture 
Catchments 
Policy 
Stakeholder Engagement 
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IAS has extensive experience in:
With increasing global food demand and stated policy objectives of Governments of generating jobs and doubling agricultural production and exports, maximising production from available water allocation is critical. Global food security demands that we produce more with less land, water and other inputs, including labour. Given the importance of water management, diminishing agricultural land and quest for fertiliser efficiency to reduce pollution, IAS is well placed to offer practical solutions to regional, national and global challenges. We have participated in the research and development of leading edge technologies geared to increased agricultural productivity and profitability whilst remaining aware of long-term sustainability objectives and the management of environmental impacts. IAS also maintains an extensive industry network and continues to collaborate with research bodies, including Universities. Our broad experience and knowledge base allows us to consider each issue holistically and assists in developing robust solutions which are suitable for a range of design, planning, operational and financial requirements. We all live in a river catchment and everything we do in our backyard, farm etc has the potential to affect waterways lower down the catchment and ultimately the ocean and its marine life. IAS has had involvement in catchment management, and in particular Integrated Catchment Management (ICM) since its early concept. ICM generally targets improving and integrating the management of land, water and related resources to achieve the sustainable and balanced use of these resources. Elements of ICM may include working with clients and stakeholders to:
IAS has been involved with ICM at a number of levels including, Government agencies, industry groups, private irrigation companies and as a consultant to promote sustainable use of natural resources and protect and improve the quality and quantity of water and the environment. IAS has considerable experience with the development of a wide range of water related policy including: · Catchment management · Water allocation · Water pricing · Asset management and renewals · Irrigation scheme operations · Irrigation organization structure and related matters etc. We gather background information on the issue to better understand the policy need. For example, has there been a change in legislation or government policy, a new strategic direction to increase water use efficiency throughout an irrigation scheme or see the activation of ‘sleeper’ water allocations to maximize associated economic activity etc? When considering potential Policy ideas we will assist you:
IAS can also assist through engaging stakeholders. The consultation process helps test policy options and identifies gaps that may have been overlooked when developing the draft Policy. (Refer to our Stakeholder Engagement tab). It is also useful to have periodic reviews of policy to assess its effectiveness in achieving desired outcomes and assist ensure a pathway of continual improvement. IAS can work with you as part of these reviews. To IAS “stakeholder engagement” is a means of describing a broader, more inclusive, and continuous process between a company or project proponent and those potentially impacted. It encompasses a range of activities and approaches, and spans the entire life of a project. Good stakeholder relations are a prerequisite for good risk management. IAS’s focus is on assisting you with groups “external” to the core operation of your business or project, such as affected communities, local government authorities, local institutions, industry and community groups and other interested or affected parties. Our recommended approach is to get in early as relationship-building takes time. Many of the hallmarks of good relationships – trust, mutual respect, and understanding – are intangibles that develop and evolve over time. This is especially true for larger, more complex or controversial projects, where project proponents are initiating engagement at the very early pre-feasibility phase, signalling to communities and other local stakeholders that their views and well-being are considered important. Engaging with stakeholders from the start enables a proactive cultivation of relationships that can serve as “capital” during challenging times in progressing projects. IAS will tailor the process to fit your project and will scale their stakeholder engagement strategies relative to the risks and impacts the project is likely to create. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. To us stakeholder engagement is an umbrella term encompassing a range of activities and interactions over the life of a project. These can be divided into eight components:
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