COAG update report on water reform
In December 2007, COAG committed to renewed Commonwealth-state cooperation and identified seven areas for its 2008 work agenda, one of which was climate change and water. Working groups were appointed for each reform area. One of these is the COAG Working Group on Climate Change and Water.
In February 2008, the Commission updated its biennial assessment of water reform progress in a report provided to the COAG working group considering future water reform priorities.
The Commission's Update of progress in water reform, which included additional recommendations for further or faster reform, was included in the COAG Working Group's report on water released on 26 March 2008.
Informed by the Commission's water reform update as well by as other contributions, the Working Group's March 2008 report to COAG recommended a forward work program of actions on high-priority water management areas:
- overallocation and environmental outcomes
- water markets
- urban water reforms
- human resources, skills and information.
COAG's 2008 forward work program on water accelerates commitments previously made under the National Water Initiative.
Report to COAG: Update of progress in water reform (959KB) - 15 February 2008