Australia's 6 Biggest Water Reform Policies
Managing Australia's water supply has been a major government focus in recent times
, with the following resultant policies and programs. While
canopies can help reduce evaporation, concerted efforts are now being made to reduce water consumption. This is being done through investment in water efficiency, as well as water buybacks.
Water For The Future
With many past water policies having proved to be unsustainable, the Federal Government has made a concerted effort to ensure continuing supply of water, and to reverse some of the damage caused by previous policies (such as overallocation of water). With water traditionally being under state jurisdiction, significant interstate co-operation has been required, with Federal co-ordination.
The Federal Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts has stated that the "Water for Future" program aims to prepare Australia for a future with less water. Its modus operandi revolves around addressing climate change, promoting the wise use of water, securing water supplies, and supporting healthy rivers.
Private Irrigation Infrastructure Programs
The goal here is for government buybacks of water entitlements made possible through more efficient and productive use of water. This has been made possible through the Inter-governmental Agreement on Murray-Darling Basin Reform, and the Federal funding that has flowed through from this. Strategic investment over a ten year period is envisaged.
On-Farm Irrigation Efficiency Program
Improved efficiency and productivity of on farm water use and management is the stated aim of this program. Irrigators, such as in the Murray-Darling basin region, are being encouraged (through this program's financial assistance) to modernise on-farm irrigation equipment. River systems like the Murray-Darling, so crippled by overuse in recent times, then benefit in the form of reduced water consumption by these freshly modernised irrigation projects.
Menindee Lakes Project
There are several goals being sought by this project. Two are reducing evaporation of water at Menindee Lakes, along with improving water efficiency. The project is also central to securing Broken Hill's water supply, whilst protecting the local environment. Following some initial success, surveys of groundwater resources and aquifer storage options, as part of the Broken Hill managed aquifer recharge (BHMAR) project, are continuing.
Non-Urban Water Metering
This initiative centres around ensuring that non-urban water metering is standardised nationally. The aim is more accurate measurement of water usage, from rivers and groundwater systems. Identification of possible efficiency improvements and minimisation of water loss through delivery systems should then be more readily achievable.
Water Entitlement Buybacks
"Restoring the Balance in the Basin" is the Federal Government's catch-cry for buying back water entitlements from willing sellers. It has been widely acknowledged that the amount of water entitlements previously outstanding was well beyond what many of Australia's river systems could sustainably handle. With these buybacks of entitlements, water that would have been called upon is now left in the rivers, hopefully assisting the rivers' long term survival.
The major water reform policies above form part of the Federal Government's "Water for the Future" initiative. The public will eagerly await its results. Another serious issue facing farmers is crop damage from birds and bats.
bird netting can assist in protecting against these invaders.
Australia's 6 Biggest Water Reform Policies
By: Justin Murray
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