Policy and governance
We are a national leader in the provision of policy and governance advice across Australia’s land and water resources. Our policy and governance specialists bring decades of experience working at the interface of science, policy, and practice, helping governments, industries, and communities to navigate complex challenges and opportunities. We specialise in water, land and climate change policy advice.
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Water policy
Our Water Policy integrates rigorous economics, climate adaptation strategies, and water resource planning to deliver resilient decision-making frameworks for water systems. Drawing on the multidisciplinary expertise of Natural Capital and Climate within the Alluvium Group, our water policy consultants design policy approaches that support sustainable catchment and water management, balance competing uses through evidence-based economic analysis, and embed adaptive responses to climate variability within governance structures. We are skilled in aligning infrastructure planning with ecological sustainability – our approach ensures that water management remains equitable, robust, and capable of meeting long-term community and environmental goals.
NRM policy
Our work in Natural Resource Management (NRM) Policy reflects a holistic view of land, water, ecosystems, and communities. It is built on the recognition that natural systems, agriculture, climate, and society are deeply interconnected, and therefore require integrated governance responses. Through the combined strengths of the Alluvium Group, we craft strategies that reconcile environmental health with economic productivity and social resilience. Our NRM policy experts blend biophysical, social, and economic disciplines to provide advice which is scientifically credible, socially inclusive, and responsive to the evolving challenges of climate change and community needs.
Climate adaptation governance
We consolidate technical information across physical and social sciences to develop robust policy, strategy and decision-making advice and recommendations to address climate risks and advance resilience for assets and communities. We help organisations assess their capacity, capability and governance processes and how the organisation could be positioned to take more proactive climate action, identify relevant climate hazards and develop adaptation responses to address the potential impact of these hazards.
Regulatory economics
We apply our policy and governance knowledge to regulatory economics, including on matters relating to utility pricing, regulation of water and environmental markets, and regulatory impact statements.
Strategy, governance and institutional arrangements
Change is unavoidable, and can be driven by factors such as climate change-related risk, shifting community and market expectations, public policy reform, and developments in contemporary governance and management practice. Our extensive knowledge and experience in climate, built and natural environments and natural resources means we are strongly attuned to the associated strategic, governance and institutional challenges faced by public and private sector organisations in navigating change and managing risk.
Industry leadership
Our industry leaders are known for their deep expertise and knowledge in their field. They bring a thorough understanding of industry trends, technologies and best practices.
Jamie Ewert
Jamie is an educator and environmental scientist specialising in climate adaptation. He is particularly focused on systems approaches that integrate nature-based solutions, social resilience and the diversification of infrastructure In response to climate change.<br>Recognised as an effective boundary spanner, Jamie leverages his understanding of different technical disciplines with expertise in design thinking, economics, engagement and strategy to identify opportunities for transformative change.<br><br>He has extensive national and international experience in research (as a knowledge broker), policy, planning and implementation of measures for circular economies, drought resilience, flood resilience and managing urban heat. He is also skilled at managing large, complex projects and is known for his collaborative approach.<br><br>Prior to joining NCC, Jamie was a Principal Consultant at Alluvium Consulting and an Executive at the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities, based at Monash University. He also has extensive experience in the water sector, having worked for many years at Melbourne Water Corporation and Southern Rural Water, and in environmental policy at the NSW Environment Protection Authority. He maintains close links with research and has presented key note and other presentations at multiple international conferences.
Anne Erlandsen
Anne has several years of private and public sector experience from both Norway and Australia, and a strong track record analysing policy instruments and measures to reduce emissions and accelerate the transition to a low carbon economy. Prior to joining Natural Capital Economics, she worked as an economic consultant in Norway, advising a range of different clients on issues related to climate change, energy, transport, and the environment. Anne’s key capabilities include cost-benefit analysis, non-market valuation and evaluation of programs and policies. She is also experienced in stakeholder consultation and interviews. Anne is especially experienced in economic analysis of energy and climate policies. For example, she has evaluated funding programs aimed at increasing energy efficiency investments and assessed measures to reduce the need for investments in the transmission grid. She also spent one year on secondment to the Norwegian Transmission System Operator. Anne has experience from the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment, where she was part of the Climate and Energy team. Her responsibilities were related to policies aimed at limiting domestic greenhouse gas emissions, including taxes with environmental effects and energy efficiency measures.
Tim Fisher
General Manager – Natural Capital & Climate
Tim is an experienced water, conservation, and natural resource management professional with over three decades of expertise. He joined Alluvium in 2020 and brings a wealth of knowledge in water policy and program management. Prior to joining Alluvium, Tim held various influential roles, including Assistant Secretary in the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, where he contributed to the development of the Future Drought Fund, the National Landcare Program, and emergency assistance for farmers affected by natural disasters. He also led the Murray-Darling Basin Policy branch, playing a key role in the Basin Plan's development and implementation. <br><br>Tim’s career includes significant contributions to Australian water policy, such as serving as Senior Adviser to the Minister for Climate Change and Water during the Rudd-Gillard government, where he helped secure key agreements and reforms in the Murray-Darling Basin. His earlier roles involved consulting and leadership positions at the EPA Victoria and the Australian Conservation Foundation. Tim was recognized with the Centennial Medal in 2001 for his service in water conservation and salinity management.
More Natural Capital and Climate capabilities
Business case development
We work with our clients to ensure decisions are backed by robust evidence and demonstrate value for money.
Climate and resilience advisory
We support clients to understand climate risk and to build adaptive capacity that underpins resilience and creates opportunities for value creation.
Economic valuation of impacts and benefits
Our team are experts in applying both market and non-market valuation techniques across a range of study contexts.
Natural capital economics
We are experts in applying best practice frameworks to understand ecosystem services of natural capital and informing strategies to remediate, manage and improve natural capital.