Distilled Edition 64 - October 2011
In this edition
Release of the Commission's review of water reform
Over 100 stakeholders attended the CEDA luncheon to launch the Commission's review of water reform. Following Chloe Munro's speech, a panel of Commissioners and the CEO took questions from the audience.
Stakeholder reaction to the release
Stakeholders ranging from the National Farmers' Federation to the Australian Conservation Foundation issued statements following the release of the Commission's report.
Framework for assessing river and wetland health (FARWH)
A new framework can be used to compile a consistent and comparative picture of river and wetland health across Australia. This would allow governments to better prioritise investments in river and wetland health projects.
The Commission's recent wetlands workshop was attended by over 150 people. Workshop presentations and a summary booklet are available online.
Watering floodplain wetlands in the MDB for native fish
Several products outlining how best to use environmental water in floodplain wetlands to optimise benefits to native fish were launched at the wetlands workshop. These included a report and a decision support tool.
Water regime for wetland and floodplain plants
A new book captures the wealth of research knowledge generated over the past decade about effective vegetation management of our inland wetland and floodplain systems.
Sulfidic sediments in inland waterways
Another Waterlines report makes recommendations on how to manage wetlands in inland Australia to minimise the accumulation of sulfidic sediments.
A win for the environment and the economy
Professor Quentin Grafton, Dr Hoang Long Chu, Professor Tom Kompas and Associate Professor Michael Stewardson have won the Peter Cullen Eureka Prize for Water Research and Innovation for their outstanding contribution to water science.
National framework for integrated management of connected groundwater and surface water systems
A new Waterlines report offers practical guidance to assist water planners and policy makers to better integrate surface water and groundwater connectivity into their water planning frameworks.
The Commission's feature session at Riversymposium 2011 on FARWH was well received and the Chair of the First Peoples' Water Engagement Council gave a keynote address.
Individual water trading case studies
The Commission recently released ten case studies that explore the role of water trading from an irrigator's perspective.
Developing the next generation of water industry leaders
Michael Galloway Water Cycle Management Team Leader at Manly Council, has won the Commission sponsored International Water Centre Leadership Scholarship.
Free national series of seminars on water recycling
Readers likely to use the Australian guidelines for water recycling should consider attending one of the workshops that the AWA will deliver for the Commission on the guidelines' principles and practical application.
Bioanalytical methods in water quality assessment
Those interested in the science underpinning the use of biological monitoring that targets bioactive organic chemicals should consider attending the workshops that Water Quality Research Australia (WQRA) will deliver on behalf of the Commission.
In memory of Professor Richard Norris
It was with great sadness that the Commissioners and staff of the Commission learnt of the death of Richard Norris, Director of the Institute for Applied Ecology and leader of the eWater Education and Training Program at the University of Canberra.
National Water Commission bookshop
Browse our bookshop to view recently released titles and request hardcopies of our flagship publications.
Want more news from the Commission?
If you would like to hear news from the Commission as it happens rather than wait for Distilled each month, you might like to sign up to receive our media release updates.
The Commission will be involved in the following upcoming events:
- The Commission-sponsored Our Water travelling exhibition is at the McCormick Centre for the Environment, Renmark from October 27.
- The QLD Local Government Association Annual Conference, Gold Coast, 3-6 October: Commissioner Chris Davis will present on the future of urban water - National Water Commission and Productivity Commission proposals for regional towns.
- MCA Sustainable development conference, McKay, 24-26 October: CEO James Cameron to present on mining and groundwater entitlements.