Lachlan Campbell – Understanding Australia's Water Markets

In this episode of Talking Aussie Farming, we dive deep into the fascinating world of Australian water markets with Lachlan Campbell, Executive Manager of Rivco. Rivco manages approximately $300 million of water assets across the Murray-Darling Basin and is one of Australia's leading providers of water entitlement leasing solutions for farmers and irrigators.Lachlan shares his expertise as a Chartered Accountant and agribusiness professional, taking us through the history and evolution of water entitlements in Australian agriculture, why water markets exist, and the critical role they play in supporting productive farming businesses.We explore the economics behind water markets, the key drivers of water market pricing, and how investors and farmers think about portfolio strategy. We discuss which agricultural sectors are most dependent on secure water access, the debate between owning versus leasing water entitlements, and how changing regulations are shaping the future of the industry.The conversation also examines government water buybacks, the long-term outlook for water markets, and how developments in global agricultural regions—including California's almond industry—could influence Australian water demand and investment trends.And, in true Talking Aussie Farming fashion, we even discover whether Lachlan prefers tap water or sparkling water!Whether you're a farmer, agribusiness professional, investor, or simply curious about one of Australia's most unique and important asset classes, this episode provides valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges facing water markets today. Tune in now to gain a deeper understanding of the asset that underpins Australian agriculture: water.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.