$2.4m to assist water management in Northern Australia
Two new National Water Commission projects announced by the Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, will contribute to the Northern Australia Water Futures Assessment program by improving our management of rivers and water resources in northern Australia. As part of the Australian Government's response to the Final Report of the Northern Australia Land and Water Taskforce, these projects will help to ensure that future water resource development across northern Australia is environmentally, culturally and economically sustainable.
Media release and project details
Australia's water markets show record trade activity
The National Water Commission has released the Australian Water Markets Report 2008-2009, which charts the remarkable growth of Australia's water markets.
This report finds that the trade of water entitlements almost doubled (1800 GL compared to 920 GL in 2007-08), and that allocation trade continued to grow significantly (2158 GL compared to 1594 GL in 2007-08).
Australian Water Markets Report 2008-2009 and media release
Australian water reform 2009
This comprehensive report to the Council of Australian Governments assesses how all Australian governments are tracking on the reform commitments they made under the National Water Initiative.
The National Water Commission's assessment finds that although some progress has been made on meeting the Initiative's ambitious policy prescriptions, climate change has exacerbated the problems and an urgent re-commitment to reform is required.
2009 Biennial Assessment - Overview and full report and media release