Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 6.3
Achievements of the COAG water reforms
Reform element
Outcome
Pricing
Full cost charging for water and wastewater services is now well
advanced in the urban sector. Reform in the rural sector has been
limited, with few jurisdictions charging the full cost of supply and
no consideration for externalities imposed upon others.
Investment in
water resources
viable &
sustainable
There has been little investment in new dams, partly because of
previous over-investment but partly due to this requirement for
investment to be viable and sustainable. Private capital has not
been forthcoming for new dam developments for rural water and
these appear unlikely without public subsidy.
Comprehensive
systems of water
entitlements
Progress in clarifying entitlements to water access has been slow in
some jurisdictions due to concerns of States that they may be liable
for compensation if perceived rights are removed. Victoria has
given irrigators permanent rights under its Bulk Water Entitlement
provision, other jurisdictions are allowing for periodic review of
access rights.
Water allocations
for environment
Progress has been limited. Some allocations have been made for
major wetlands. Many rivers are over-allocated and progress in
recovering water from irrigation for the environment has been
slow. Weak planning frameworks and insufficient knowledge have
hampered progress, as has the lack of political will.
Trading
Failures to clarify access entitlements have limited trading, and
restrictions to the market have slowed the movement of water from
low economic to high economic uses. Trading has led to the
activation of unused licenses and increased water extraction, and
made costs of recovering water for the environment much higher.
Integrated
catchment
management
Good progress has been made in developing regional catchment
organisations in Victoria and SA, less so elsewhere.
Consultation
Consultative processes of various efficacy exist in all jurisdictions,
however, it is often thought that irrigators have a greater
involvement than conservation or Indigenous interests.
Research
Although some research has been funded, there is no adequate
funding mechanism or organisational structure. Needs a levy on
water users to provide funds and requires more effective
mechanisms to deliver research findings to those who need them.
specification of entitlements in terms of ownership, volume,
reliability, transferability and, where appropriate, quality
formal determination of water allocations or entitlements, including
allocations for the environment as a legitimate user of water.
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