Curbing non-point pollution: Lessons for the Swan-Canning

This article examines policy mechanisms and instruments for curbing nonpoint source water pollution from agriculture. This policy discussion is placed in the context of the Swan-Canning river catchment, a region that has experienced high levels of nutrient contamination. A range of potential approaches and policy instruments are assessed not just in terms of their likely effectiveness, but also in terms of how far they satisfy the sometimes competing criteria of efficiency, equity and political acceptability. The article also examines whether, in what circumstances, and to what extent, it will be necessary to invoke positive or negative incentives, or mandatory measures, in order to change behaviour, and what types of policy instrument will be best suited to different contexts. It concludes by arguing for a sequenced approach and by making a number of concrete suggestions for policy reform.