Distilled Edition 59 - May 2011
In this issue
Looking to the future for urban water : In its Urban water in Australia: future directions report, the Commission has called for Australian governments to consider new directions to reinvigorate the way we manage urban water.
Performance in Australia's urban water sector: The Commission's fifth annual report on urban water utilities shows that the industry's sustained investment in infrastructure has improved longer-term water security by bringing online new water supply sources.
Performance in Australia's rural water sector: In regional Australia, the rural water service report found that the progressive piping of open channel carrier networks is improving water delivery efficiency and reducing water losses.
Rethinking water pricing: Releasing its Review of pricing reform in the Australian water sector, the Commission called for a rethink of the way water is priced to encourage innovation, efficient investment decisions and sustainable water use.
Shifting to competitive approaches: A supporting report, Competition in the Australian urban water sector, identifies the benefits of introducing greater competition in the urban water sector.
Efficient water resource pricing: A new report suggests that scarcity pricing mechanisms that incorporate the 'value' of a supply-constrained resource into price signals have the potential to benefit government, water businesses and consumers.
Externality pricing report to encourage discussion: Another report on externality pricing examines the case for adopting pricing approaches for the efficient management of externalities.
Sending groundwater estimation to space: The Commission has commenced a project to assess the reliability of a new approach using satellites to estimate groundwater nationally.
Managed aquifer recharge and agriculture: MAR is a feasible management option for agricultural water supply when implemented at suitable locations and scales.
Update on First Peoples' Water Engagement Council: Meeting in Newcastle in February 2011, the First Peoples' Water Engagement Council finalised its submission to the 3rd Biennial Assessment of the National Water Initiative.
Managing groundwater-dependent ecosystems: A new Commission report uses seven case studies to capture information on the range of management tools available and the effectiveness of water planning policy controls in protecting GDEs.
Science seminar: forests, climate change and the MDB: Understanding the way forests function in a changing climate and their impact on runoff is crucial for longer-term water resource management planning in the MDB, according to Dr Tim McVicar from CSIRO Land and Water.
National Water Commission bookshop: Browse our new bookshop to view titles released in the last month and request hardcopies of our flagship publications.
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Upcoming events: The Commission will be involved in the following upcoming events -
- OzWater conference in Adelaide 9-11 May: Commission Chair Ms Chloe Munro, CEO James Cameron, and Water Markets and Efficiency Group General Manager Will Fargher will present a feature session showcasing recent work relating to the urban water sector.
