WWF Australia welcomes first major step to fixing Australia's water crisis
25 Jun 2004
WWF-Australia congratulates the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers and Premiers for addressing the water needs of the eastern states. However, only a truly national plan will secure Australia's water future for the natural environment and for the health and prosperity of all Australians.
COAG's August 2003 national water initiative set out to ensure the health of river and groundwater systems, sustain rural and urban communities, and increase productivity and efficiency of water use.
WWF believes the following measures decided today will form the basis of a successful national water plan:
- statutory recognition for water will be provided to ensure environmental outcomes are met
- establishing essential water accounting methods and standards
- working to address over-allocation and overuse across the nation by 2010
- establishing a National Water Commission
Dr Helen Foard, WWF Fresh Water Manager, said, "We believe that a National Water Commission is essential and needs to implement the National Water Initiative (NWI), audit the performance of the states under the NWI and ensuring accountability of all water managers to the broader community."
"Fundamental to the success of a national water plan is proper planning processes which identify and protect environmental needs."
"There must be 'whole-of-system' water resource planning, accounting for all significant water use across landscapes, above and below the ground and across state borders. "
"WWF cannot be sure that over-allocation problems can be met without a further commitment of funds."
"WWF will be looking at the details of the arrangement to make sure there are reporting, auditing and accountability measures to ensure funding and deadlines will deliver commitments under the National Water Initiative. Over the coming months WWF will be working with all governments to ensure the most strategic cost effective and valuable projects for all Australians and the Australian environment are delivered."
Contacts
Dr Helen Foard, WWF Fresh Water Manager, 0418 583 026
Glen Klatovsky, WWF Director of Conservation, 0410 482 243
