Public submissions invited on water reform progress

The National Water Commission is inviting public submissions to inform its 2014 triennial assessment of water reform progress under the National Water Initiative.

The commission has listed the following issues for comment:

• To what extent has the National Water Initiative (NWI) and subsequent reforms enabled water use to support Australia’s economic development, our communities and our environment?
• In 2014, as we reach the 10-year anniversary of the NWI, does the agreement still provide enduring principles to guide future water reform in Australia?
• Do any emerging issues and challenges indicate a need to adjust the NWI in the future?
• What are the remaining barriers to implementing agreed water reforms and how can they be overcome?
• Are there more efficient or effective ways, including industry and private sector participation, of achieving the intended water reform outcomes?
• Are there opportunities to better manage the interface of water policy with other policy realms such as energy and resources, agriculture and urban planning?

An issues paper, providing further background and submission guidelines, is available at www.nwc.gov.au/our-work/assessments/2014-ta/issues-paper.

“Ten years after the initiative was agreed, we intend to explore opportunities for future reform,” said Commission Chair Karlene Maywald. “Based on public submissions and our consultation with stakeholders, we will make recommendations on future priorities to the Council of Australian Governments.”

Each submission, except for those supplied in confidence, will be published on the commission’s website. The closing deadline is 15 November 2013.