MEDIA RELEASE
The Economic and Social Impacts of Water Trading, a new report identifying the changes in water use in rural Australia occurring as a result of water trading, has been released in Canberra.
The report was jointly released at the National Press Club by National Water Commission CEO Mr Ken Matthews, Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Managing Director Dr Peter O’Brien, and Murray Darling Basin Commission Chief Executive Dr Wendy Craik.
“Water trading is a centrepiece of the National Water Initiative. The National Water Commission has pressed hard to open up trade,” Mr Matthews said.
“The National Water Commission is equally committed to closely monitor the impacts of water trade – both positive and negative. This is an important role for the National Water Commission under the NWI.”
Dr O’Brien said that the research found that it is extremely difficult to untangle the effects of trade from a background of drought, commodity markets and rural adjustment.
“However trade has clearly assisted existing industries to manage change, and has been critical to new horticultural development,” he said
“The fact is that without water trading many existing enterprises would not have survived the drought,” Dr Craik said.
The report also found that change can be difficult and that communities in regions exporting water can experience reduced populations and spending. Conversely, communities in regions importing water can experience increased populations without necessarily having the infrastructure and services to properly accommodate new arrivals.
The report was jointly commissioned by the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, the National Water Commission and the Murray-Darling Commission.
Download report:
The economic and social impacts of water trading (PDF 4.3MB)
Media contact:
Lynne Griffiths, NWC Communications Manager - 02 6102 6023 / 0412 786 945