2011 Biennial Assessment

March 2011

As part of the 3rd Biennial Assessment of the National Water Initiative (NWI), the Commission  made a call for public submissions to gain feedback from the public.

A discussion paper was prepared to guide the submissions and was distributed to 130 key water management stakeholders. Thirty-eight submissions were received, representing organisations and individuals from all States and one Territory.

A quarter of all submissions came from peak bodies representing water, agricultural, environmental, industry and service provider organisations while ten of the submissions were from organisations or individuals who also provided submissions to the 2nd Assessment (Australian water reform 2009).

Most submissions noted that progress has been made since the initiation of the NWI in 2004, particularly in respect to implementation of improved planning frameworks, water markets and trading.

The major criticisms tended to be in respect to the pace of reform, which was considered too slow and the perceived lack of equitable and accountable commitment across all jurisdictions.

The Commission warmly appreciates the time and effort taken by respondents to prepare and submit these submissions which are being used to inform the development of the 3rd Biennial Assessment, due to be released in 2011.

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September 2010

Discussion paper for public submissions

The Intergovernmental Agreement on a National Water Initiative (NWI), established in 2004, sets out objectives, outcomes and agreed actions to be undertaken by governments. These actions work to improve the management of Australia's water resources.

The NWI requires the National Water Commission to make biennial assessments of progress in the implementation of the NWI. Two assessments have already been undertaken in 2007 and 2009. The objectives of the biennial assessments are to:

  • report to the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) on progress of NWI implementation
  • advise COAG on matters to better realise the NWI objectives and outcomes.

For the 2011 biennial assessment, the NWI also requires the National Water Commission to comprehensively review the NWI and assess:

  1. the extent to which actions under the NWI have improved the sustainable management of Australian water resources and have contributed to the national interest
  2. the impact of the implementation of the NWI on regional, rural and urban communities.

The discussion paper (below) invites stakeholders and other interested parties to make a submission to the 2011 biennial assessment. 

The paper gives the background to the biennial assessment and provides guidance on how to make a submission. Issues are presented generically, but submissions addressing specific examples would be most welcome. The Commission also welcomes submissions that raise issues beyond those identified in this paper.

The Commission will use public submissions provided by stakeholders and other interested parties to inform the assessment of implementation of the NWI. The 2011 Biennial Assessment is due to be released in mid-2011. Submissions do not need to be limited to the points raised in this paper, nor do they need to address all of the points under each section. Comments on other aspects of water policy, management and use are welcome.

Submissions should be emailed to:
submissions@nwc.gov.au (submissions should use the word 'Submission' in the title of the email)

Submissions may also be sent by post to:
The 2011 Biennial Assessment
95 Northbourne Avenue
CANBERRA  ACT  2600

The closing date for submissions is Friday 26 November 2010.
General enquires may be directed to the Commission at submissions@nwc.gov.au

Discussion paper for download

Download BA_discussion_paper.pdf Discussion paper (113KB)

Submissions

 

 

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