Generational differences in policy preferences for water sharing: Implications for the future

Conflicts over reallocation of water, from existing water licence holders to meet new demand from consumptive users and the environment, are likely to intensify over time. This study explores the support for three policy orientations towards water sharing among four generations of voters. We find that the four generations have significantly different level of support for policies aiming at protecting the environment and protecting current licence holders. Younger generations are more supportive of both. This could suggest two future policy scenarios. Conflicts could intensify as greater support is likely to emerge from those two presumably opposing policy orientation as the current voting base ages, or the increased support for both orientations could result in a higher willingness for policy compromises.