The Review of urban water quality regulation in Australia report sets out three reform options to ensure Australia’s water sector maintains its strong record in delivering safe drinking water to our towns and cities. The report finds that Australia’s urban water sector is changing and must continue to do so to meet the supply challenges posed by climate variability and population growth. Water managers are facing a broader range of water quality risks as a result of new scientific and technological developments and the use of more diverse water sources. The report is part of a suite of work undertaken by the National Water Commission to support its keystone project, Urban water in Australia: future directions.
The draft report from the Productivity Commission Inquiry into Australia’s Urban Water Sector was released on 13 April 2011. Written submissions are invited by Wednesday 18 May 2011. In undertaking the inquiry, the Commission is tasked with identifying opportunities for efficiency gains in the structural, institutional, regulatory and other arrangements that govern the sector. The final report will be prepared after submissions have been received and public hearings held, and will be forwarded to the Government by 31 August 2011.
The National Water Commission has released four reports that look at water pricing options and opportunities for greater competition. For further information see the Media Release and the reports Reviews of pricing reform, Externality pricing, Competition in the urban water sector, and Scarcity pricing in urban areas. The reports are part of a suite of work undertaken by the Commission to support its keystone report Urban water in Australia: future directions.
The National Water Commission has called for Australian governments to consider new directions to reinvigorate the way we manage water in cities and towns. To encourage discussion and provide a platform for change, the Commission has released a major report, Urban water in Australia: future directions. For further information see the media release and report.
The National Water Commission has developed a new Integrated Resource Planning model for water planners around Australia. This web-based tool can be applied to any urban water supply in Australia. A series of manuals is also available to guide practitioners, together with case studies that demonstrate the model’s use in two Australian cities. For more information see the resource papers and project information.
The international observance of World Water Day is an initiative that grew out of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro. World Water Day 2011 has the theme Water for cities: responding to the urban challenge. The objective is to focus international attention on addressing the impact of rapid urban population growth, industrialization and uncertainties caused by climate change, conflicts and natural disasters on urban water systems. To find out more visit World Water Day 2011.
The CSIRO Urban Water Theme is the largest urban water research program in Australia, one of four major programs under the Water for a Healthy Country Research Flagship. The research is targeted in four key areas: integrated water systems, recycling and diversified supply, infrastructure technologies and urban water environments. To find out more visit Urban water: addressing Australia’s urban water challenges.
On 2 December 2009, the NSW Standing Committee on Natural Resource Management (Climate Change) resolved to inquire into issues of sustainable water management with particular reference to climate change impacts and, in particular, to report on the following terms of reference:
The Final Report was tabled on 25 November 2010. To download the report visit Final Report, Sustainably managing water under climate change.