Scientific investigations and monitoring work programmes are important because:

• They provide knowledge about the water resource.
• They provide early warning of changes in water resource or sustainability issues.
• They help ensure the water resource is managed sustainably.
• They help ensure ecosystem health is protected.
• They enable the continuation of recreational, drinking and cultural use of water.
• They enable the commercial use of water which supports the regional economy and community, the local economy and community, and individual enterprises.
• They provide knowledge about the water which provides a context for describing and understanding the effects of an individual consent.
• They provide greater certainty of ongoing access to water, protection of reliability, and ability to discharge.
• They help ensure that water is not unnecessarily withheld from allocation, or discharge, due to uncertainty about the extent of the resource.
• They provide better information about cause and effect issues arising from water use.