NWI should be cornerstone of State, Federal relations on water
22 Jan 2007
WWF-Australia supports today's calls by the National Farmers Federation for full implementation of the National Water Initiative.
WWF also calls for Commonwealth and State governments to establish accurate water accounts and address over-allocation of water resources, especially in catchments where key environmental assets rely on delivery of adequate environmental flows.
"The policy set out under the National Water Initiative, agreed to in 2004 by Commonwealth, State and Territory governments, sets out a rational way to secure Australia's freshwater ecosystems," said Averil Bones, WWF's Policy Manager Freshwater.
"We welcome efforts by State governments to put in place water planning across all catchments, although in some areas, including important wetlands, planned environmental water is plainly inadequate to ensure freshwater biodiversity survives even in the short term."
Current conditions continue to stress significant biological assets. The NSW Fisheries Scientific Committee has proposed that both the Macquarie perch and the southern pygmy perch be up-listed from vulnerable to endangered status in NSW. WWF fears for the viability of these two species should habitat degradation continue.
"We must establish and maintain refuges for these species. Delays on funding from the Commonwealth, in the context of the states' ultimate responsibility for water, should not be used to excuse delays to address over-allocation, establish recycling and promote demand management initiatives," Ms Bones said.
"Proactive cooperation by the Commonwealth to ensure the Australian Water Fund is dispersed in the shortest possible timeframe will help alleviate pressures on Australia's natural systems," she said.
"Subsidised delivery of water in rural areas continues to sap the public purse in some States. Until commitments to ensure full cost recovery for water delivery are implemented by the States, calls for investment by the Commonwealth sound somewhat hollow."
For more information:
Charlie Stevens, WWF-Australia Press Office, 02 8202 1274, 0424 649 689
Averil Bones, WWF-Australia Policy Manager Freshwater, 0437 864 153
