To complement physical measures of indices of river health, a social benchmarking instrument has been developed to measure community dispositions and behaviour regarding river health. This instrument seeks to achieve three outcomes. First, to provide a benchmark of the social condition of communities' attitudes, values, understanding and behaviours in relation to river health; second, to provide information for developing management and educational priorities; and third, to provide the basis for assessment of the long term effectiveness of community communication and education activities in achieving changes in attitudes, understanding and behaviours in relation to river health.