Archived Industry News for Water Professionals
Australia's urban water sector needs major changes to meet the challenges of providing services that minimise costs and maximise benefits to the community, according to a draft report released by the Productivity Commission.
The draft report - Australia's Urban Water Sector - reports that Government responses to the recent water shortages have resulted in large costs to water consumers and the community generally. Nationally, water restrictions are estimated to have cost in excess of $1 billion per annum from the lost value of consumption alone, and some large supply augmentations could cost the community up to 5 billion dollars or more over the next decade or two.
Presiding Commission, Dr Wendy Craik said 'There is a strong case for reforming the sector. There are some fundamental weaknesses, with conflicting objectives, unclear roles and responsibilities, and deficient governance arrangements, across policy making, regulatory and service delivery institutions.'
Urban water utilities and rural water service providers performance report released
Two National Water Commission reports on the performance Australia’s urban water utilities and rural water service providers have been released by the Federal Government.
Councils reject findings on water utilities
Councils have strongly rejected the findings on Local Water Utilities (LWU) in the National Water Commission’s recently released Urban Water in Australia: Future Directions 2011 report.
Victorian water allocation trading suspended
The Victorian Government has temporarily suspended some water allocation trade to protect next season’s allocations to Victorian water entitlement holders on the Murray system.
Irrigation increase announced for Lachlan Valley
NSW Water Commissioner David Harriss, has announced an increase of 9 per cent for Lachlan Valley general security irrigators.
Queensland announces changes to SEQ Water Distribution and Retail Restructuring Act
The Queensland Government has announced changes to the South-East Queensland Water (Distribution and Retail Restructuring) Act 2009.
Water expert appointed new SA Chief Scientist
A leader and recognised expert in the field of water management and quality, Adjunct Professor Don Bursill AM, has been appointed as South Australia’s new Chief Scientist.
Nominations open for 2011 WA Coastal Awards for Excellence
Nominations have opened for the 2011 Western Australian Coastal Awards for Excellence.
Submissions called for Sydney Water/NSW Office of Water MoU
Under the Sydney Water Act 1994 and Sydney Water’s operational licence, Sydney Water must enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the NSW Office of Water.
Coliban Water flood recovery works completed
Coliban Water has completed its immediate flood recovery works and has estimated its costs could tally to as much as $10 million.
Review into Anglesea River water quality announced
The Victorian Government has announced an independent review into water quality issues at the Anglesea River.
National Water Commission calls for overhaul of urban water supply management
The National Water Commission has issued a landmark report urging Australian governments to overhaul the way urban water supplies are managed.
Draft water management plan for Upper Ovens released
The Upper Ovens River Water Supply Protection Area (WSPA) Consultative Committee is seeking community comment on its draft Water Management Plan (WMP). The draft plan proposes management arrangements for groundwater and surface water licences in the Upper Ovens River WSPA and is the first to incorporate both types of water resources in the same plan.
Caring for our Country grants available
Proposals for land care and environment projects from across the nation are invited under the Caring for our Country 2011-12 business plan.
Review of Hunter Water licence
The New South Wales Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has called for submissions to its review of the operating licence for the Hunter Water Corporation.
Funding available for urban water research
First stage applications for funding of urban water innovation projects under the Open Innovation Stream of the Smart Water Fund will close on Friday April 8.
Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Forum meets
Ministers from across the Murray-Darling Basin have met to progress a collaborative and inclusive approach for governments and communities to develop and implement a plan for the Basin in which a healthy river system underpins strong and viable communities.
Tasmanian water price rises "inevitable"
A new report from Tasmania's Economic Regulator says more water price rises are inevitable because the state's water corporations are only recovering half of their operating costs.
WA report recommends water cost recovery measures
The final report by the Economic Regulation Authority (ERA) of Western Australia in its inquiry into water resource management and planning charges has been released, recommending a suite of principles for cost recovery by the Department of Water.
SA projects kick off Riverine Recovery Project
The Australian and South Australian governments have announced joint funding of $9.2 million for three new infrastructure and environmental programs to restore wetlands and floodplains of the Murray River in South Australia.
Report on impact of climate change on groundwater recharge released
The first report of a national project to investigate the impact of climate change on groundwater resources has been released, describing the results of a modelling study on the impact of climate change and variability on diffuse dryland groundwater recharge (the recharge across the landscape under non-irrigated land use) in the Murray-Darling Basin.