National Water Initiative
Discussion
The National Water Initiative, agreed to by the Australian Federal and State Governments, is an attempt to deal with over-allocation of water rights to irrigators, and under-allocation to the environment, in the Murray-Darling river system.
The environment was allocated 500 GL per year, although environmental groups say that at least 1500 GL extra is needed to restore the health of the river system and its various wetlands.
The initiative includes converting existing water
rights into
secure and tradable water access entitlements, in order to improve water use
efficiency.
Library
First Biennial Assessment of the National Water Initiative
Public Submissions. National Water Commission
Intergovernmental Agreement on a National Water Initiative (PDF)
National Water Agreement. Earthbeat. ABC. 2004.7.3 - Three different stakeholders debate the merits of the Council of Australian Government's new water plan.
National Water Initiative - Submission (PDF) Inland Rivers Network. NSW. 2006.4
National Water Initiative Water Trading Study (PDF). Prime Minister & Cabinet. 2006.6
NSW and National Reactions to the National Water Initiative. ABC Rural. 2004
Progress on the National Water Initiative (PDF). National Water Commission. 2006.6
South Australia divided over National Water Initiative. ABC. 2004.6.28
Victorian Farmers Relieved at National Water Initiative. ABC. 2004.6.28
Water deal leaves unfinished business. Australian Conservation Foundation 2004.6.28 - COAG's water deal is a halfway house: it lays the foundations for good water policy but provides no new money to get the job done.
Links
2007.7.2