I can't find a link, but there's a theory (and I don't know if it's been discredited), but once again, because humans settled into Australia they displaced mega-fauna and generally ruined the ecosystem in Australia and the Outback now is what it is. Even today, there's a story doing the rounds about how free roaming bison in the US double the plant biodiversity of the plains just by trampling on stuff.
So if you could keep lakes such as Lake Eyre (though it's salty) and others full, that would encourage plant growth, and coverage.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Eyre
I can't find a link, but there's a theory (and I don't know if it's been discredited), but once again, because humans settled into Australia they displaced mega-fauna and generally ruined the ecosystem in Australia and the Outback now is what it is. Even today, there's a story doing the rounds about how free roaming bison in the US double the plant biodiversity of the plains just by trampling on stuff.
There are all sorts of plans to irrigate Australia such as: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bradfield_Scheme