The Australian Government Productivity Commission is calling on the Government to renew and update the National Water Initiative (NWI) to address the effects of climate change and growing and changing demand for water, according to the interim report of the Productivity Commission’s review of the agreement.
The NWI was created in 2004 and sets out principles for water management, covering everything from access rights to pricing principles and investment in infrastructure.
“Water is essential to the wellbeing of all Australian communities, the environment, and the economy,” said Commissioner Joanne Chong.
The National Water Initiative has set strong foundations for managing this precious resource over the past 20 years but there are gaps that must be addressed, The report says the foundations of the NWI should be retained and expanded to better address the effects of climate change.
“Climate change is making rainfall more variable and increasing the incidence of extreme weather events,” she said.
The NWI must protect our water security in the face of these growing challenges,” said Associate Commissioner Anne Poelina.”
The current NWI objectives focus on water resource management, but there are also challenges to do with providing water services in regional areas.
“The foundations of the NWI are sound and they should be retained to avoid jeopardising the progress Australia has made over the past two decades,” said Associate Commissioner Poelina.
“We need a revitalised National Water Initiative that builds on the strengths of the old agreement while preparing us for the future,” said Commissioner Chong.
