A big step towards securing Australia's water future
18 Nov 2004
WWF-Australia today welcomes the introduction of a Bill into Federal Parliament to establish the National Water Commission - the body that will drive implementation of national water reform.
WWF-Australia congratulates the Australian Government on its commitment to establish the new National Water Commission and calls on all Governments to embrace the full implementation of the National Water Initiative.
"This is an historic day for Australia - for Australia's secure water future - and a significant day for all Australians," Dr Helen Foard, WWF's Fresh Water Manager, said.
"Not adequately understanding our water resources - where the water is, how much there is and who has got it - has been and remains a key threat to Australia's water security.
"We now have a national plan in place that sets out the key steps needed to address and prevent Australia's water security threats," Dr Foard said.
"Water accounting and better application of good science to underpin water planning, management and water trading are critical elements of the plan.
"There is and should be no such thing as commercial-in-confidence when it comes to water information. All water information needs to be readily and publicly available.
"If the National Water Initiative is implemented properly, we will generate more wealth from less water at the same time as restoring, sustaining and protecting the health of our surface and under ground water systems," Dr Foard said.
Understanding the requirements of over allocated and over used systems and restoring them to environmentally sustainable water extraction levels will require priority investment.
Dr Foard said: "We are playing catch up. We are 'water broke' in many rivers and aquifers - and that has to be brought into balance.
"The $2 Billion Australian Water Fund, together with other state funding and private contributions, needs to be strategically and cost effectively invested to achieve National Water Initiative outcomes.
The National Water Commission will play a pivotal role in making sure this happens by setting selection criteria to ensure smart sequencing and strategic investment in water projects in line with the National Water Initiative.
WWF congratulates Ken Matthews on his appointment as the new CEO of the National Commission and looks forward to the appointment of the seven expert Commissioners.
