Water reform publications
This section includes publications about the National Water Initiative, reports to the Council of Australian Governments (COAG), biennial assessments and water policy reform in Australia.
Biennial Assessments
The National Water Initiative - securing Australia's water future: 2011 assessment - September 2011
Assesses the progress by governments in implementing the actions to which they committed when signing the National Water Initiative and the extent to which these actions have improved the sustainable management of Australia's water resources.
2011 Biennial Assessment of Progress in Implementation - discussion paper - September 2010
This discussion paper invites stakeholders and other interested parties to make a submission to the 2011 biennial assessment.
Australian Water Reform 2009 - Biennial assessment of progress in implementation of NWI - October 2009
Records significant achievements in water reform across Australia. It covers all states and territories, groundwater and surface water systems, and urban and rural areas.
2009 Biennial Assessment - list of submissions - closing 28 February 2009
The NWC invited public submissions. There were 45 responses. The discussion paper is a guide to the process of making a public submission.
National Water Initiative - First Biennial Assessment of progress in implementation - October 2007
Provides a snapshot review of the successes and deficiencies in water reform in Australia since the signing of the NWI.
National Performance Reports
National Performance Report 2009-10 urban water utilities - April 2011
Includes information from 79 water utilities that supply around 18.3 million Australians with their urban water services.
National Performance Report 2009-10: rural water service providers - April 2011
Publishes comprehensive data for 13 rural water service providers across Australia, covering up to 54 performance indicators across key areas spanning characteristics, service, environment and finance.
National Performance Report 2008-2009: urban water utilities - April 2010
In its fourth year of publication, the National Performance Report is the world's most comprehensive and detailed document on the performance of urban water utilities.
National Performance Report 2008-2009: rural water service providers - April 2010
The third annual performance report publishes comprehensive data for 12 rural water service providers across Australia.
National Performance Report 2007-2008: urban water utilities - April 2009
In its third year of publication, the National Performance Report is the world's most comprehensive and detailed document on the performance of urban water utilities.
National Performance Report 2007-2008: rural water service providers - April 2009
The second annual performance report publishes comprehensive data for 13 rural water service providers across Australia.
Waterlines reports
Exploring the regulatory framework and governance of decentralised water management systems: a strata and community title perspective - Waterlines No 19 - September 2009
Explores the regulatory framework and governance issues associated with community-owned water.
Other publications
Water policy and climate change in Australia - May 2012
Analyses the interactions between climate change and water.
Assessment of progress against Water Management Partnership Agreement reform actions - November 2011
Fulfils the Commission’s delegated responsibility to independently assess and report on Murray-Darling Basin State Governments’ performance in delivering the water reform actions for the 2010 reporting period.
2005 National Competition Policy Assessment of Water Reform Progress - September 2007
Includes 2005 National Competition Policy Assessment, and follow up reviews.
Water reform and industry - May 2007
Examines the implications of recent water initiatives for the minerals, petroleum, energy, pulp and paper industries.
The National Water Initiative - How does it affect me? - May 2007
Brochure - an easy to understand guide to the National Water Initiative (NWI) and how it impacts on various public groups.
Water reform in Australia - January 2007
Brochure - outlines the key components of water reform in Australia, including the National Water Initiative and the role of the National Water Commission.
Water management in Australia: a vision of a positive future - September 2006
Vision statement by the Chairman of the National Water Commission about how water management arrangements in Australia will look in the years ahead.
Progress on the National Water Initiative: a report to the Council of Australian Governments - July 2006
Report to the Council of Australian Governments from 1 June 2006 on the progress of the National Water Initiative.
Institutional arrangements in the Australian water sector: Information paper - December 2005
Provides an overview of the current institutional arrangements in the water sector in Australia.