The community
and all levels of government know that the health of
NSW rivers is declining and that there is a need to
balance economic development with environmental protection.
This problem exists nationally and internationally.
In recent years the NSW
government has embarked on a comprehensive water reform
process which aims to secure our water future by improving
the health of our rivers and groundwater system, and
delivering greater security for all water users.
The main Act for water
resource management, the Water Act 1912 is extremely
dated and no longer provides a suitable framework
for meeting the needs of today’s water users
or the environment. The NSW water reforms represent
an attempt to bring water management planning into
line with contemporary water management philosophies
and form part of a broader natural resource planning
framework.
The reforms to date have
included:
1995 NSW
Water Policy Reforms
- The development of
interim flow and water quality objectives for the
States waters
- The establishment
of the Healthy Rivers Commission to provide guidance
in the above task
- The introduction of
water pricing reform
- The establishment
of a Water Advisory Council comprised of community
and industry representatives to advise on aspects
of water management
1997 NSW
Water Policy Reforms
- Better sharing of
available water
- Take action on the
regulated rivers to develop environmental flow
rules
Work with Community to establish environmental
objectives for future water management
Identify stressed unregulated rivers and groundwater
systems and prepare management plans to meet agreed
environmental objectives
- Enhancing investment
strategies for the rural water sector
- Provide stronger
investment confidence for individuals via improved
water access rights
Provide government support for a range of water
related activities eg structural adjustment
Ensure a balance in cost sharing arrangements
- Reshaping how water
management is delivered
- Set up Water Management
Committees
More efficient administration of government
processes
2000
A proposal for updated and consolidated water management
legislation for NSW - A white paper
Outlines the development of
a new legislative framework for managing water resources
and streamlining water management legislation.
The main elements are;
- Protection of the water environment
- Water management planning and
the community
- Clarification of water rights
and ecosystem activity approvals
- Water trading and transfers
- Compliance
The white paper is part of the
process of continuing consultation on water reforms
Replacement of
previous Acts
- Water Act 1912
Some provisions to
be carried over into the proposed new Act, others
to be repealed
- Water Administration
Act 1986
To be repealed, with
some provisions carried over
- Irrigation Act 1912
To be repealed
- Rivers and Foreshores
Improvement Act 1948
To be repealed, with
some provisions carried over
How the Reforms are Linked
For more information on NSW Water
Reform visit the DLWC
website which hosts a range of materials such
as;
- Background information
- Reports
- Strategies for water management
in NSW
- General documents and Fact
Sheets
Alternatively contact;
Information Centre
- DLWC
Ph 02 9228 6415
Fax 02 9228 6458
www.dlwc.nsw.gov.au
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