Outcome 4: Sustainable water
Main responsibilities for this outcome
The Water Group is comprised of the Water Efficiency Division, the Water Governance Division and the Water Reform Division |
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Objectives
The objectives of water reform programs, largely delivered through the government’s Water for the Future initiative, were to:
- help communities and industries, particularly in the Murray-Darling Basin, become more resilient and sustainable and better positioned to adapt to future water availability
- help make irrigation significantly more efficient, and allow water savings to be shared between irrigators and the environment
- implement reforms that deliver more efficient use of water resources
- develop an effective and transparent water market
- help urban communities and businesses use water resources more efficiently and better secure their water supply
- improve the health of rivers, wetlands and freshwater ecosystems
- implement the government’s ‘bridging the gap’ commitment for the Murray-Darling Basin by recovering water for environmental use through water purchase and infrastructure initiatives
- support key bilateral country partners in improving their water management.
Strategies
- The National Water initiative has been Australia’s enduring blueprint for national water reform since 2004. It aims to achieve a nationally compatible system for managing surface and groundwater resources.
- The Water Act 2007 provides the legislative framework for implementing many elements of the National Water Initiative, including arrangements for the Basin Plan to be proposed by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority. National reforms were supported by the 2008 Intergovernmental Agreement on Murray-Darling Basin Reform, signed by the Basin states, the Australian Capital Territory and the Australian Government. The reforms were also supported by bilateral water management partnership agreements between the Australian Government and each Basin state.
- Water for the Future is the government’s long-term national initiative to better balance the water needs of communities, industries and the environment. The initiative contains a variety of rural and urban policies and programs, and includes significant funding for increasing the efficiency of water use in irrigation, purchasing water entitlements and increasing water security for cities and towns through desalination, recycling and stormwater capture.
Murray-Darling Basin and other rural areas
Murray-Darling Basin
In 2010–11, the department assisted irrigators across Australia transition to lower diversion limits under the Basin Plan by:
- Delivering water infrastructure and investments in rural water use, management and efficiency, through the $5.8 billion Sustainable Rural Water Use and Infrastructure Program.
- Purchasing water entitlements for the environment to improve the health of the Murray-Darling Basin’s rivers and wetlands through the $3.1 billion Restoring the Balance in the Murray-Darling Basin Program. Purchases are strategically guided by the best information on unmet environmental water needs. This program continued in 2010–11, with a shift towards running smaller, more frequent tenders. It has continued to attract considerable interest from entitlement holders. At 30 June 2011 the program had secured the purchase of 1 052 gigalitres of water entitlements.
A stakeholder engagement strategy was adopted, targeted primarily at regional irrigators, local and state governments, national resource management bodies and peak agricultural and conservation organisations. The strategy has given the department the opportunity to draw on stakeholder knowledge and build capacity to participate in, adapt to and implement planning processes and programs.
Community information sessions were held in the Murray-Darling Basin. Feedback from the sessions indicates that the community has improved awareness and understanding of Water for the Future, and that the sessions gave community members the opportunity to put their views to the department. The sessions have also given senior officials a better understanding of industry and community concerns.
The department supported the extensive consultation process conducted by the Murray-Darling Basin following the release of the guide to the Basin Plan, including this meeting conducted in Renmark, South Australia.
To raise public awareness of the Water for the Future initiative and encourage residents of the Murray-Darling Basin to have their say on shaping the future of the Basin, the department ran an advertising campaign between October and December 2010. The department also participated in stakeholder engagement activities conducted by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority associated with the Guide to the Proposed Basin Plan.
Great Artesian Basin
National Partnership Agreements are being implemented for the Great Artesian Basin Sustainability Initiative in New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia.
Urban areas
The department continued to deliver existing programs in urban areas—in particular, Water Smart Australia—which aimed to increase uptake of smart technologies and practices in water use, and advance the National Water Initiative.
Through the National Water Security Plan for Cities and Towns program, funding of more than $250 million over five years is being provided to over 70 projects, mainly in cities and towns with fewer than 50 000 people. The project aims to upgrade older pipes and water systems, install new infrastructure, save water and reduce water loss. The plan also includes projects under the COAG Strategy on Water and Wastewater Services in remote (including Indigenous) communities to:
- provide sustainable, secure and safe water supplies and wastewater services
- give a level of service that meets the regulatory standards that would apply to any other community of similar size and location
- encourage responsible use of water and, where appropriate, water conservation.
The Productivity Commission is holding a public inquiry into the case for microeconomic reform in Australia’s urban water sector. The inquiry will help COAG meet its commitment to progress urban water reform by identifying opportunities for efficiency gains in the structural, institutional, regulatory and other arrangements that govern the sector.
Under the National Urban Water and Desalination Plan, $100 million was announced to expand the stormwater harvesting program. This funding builds on the $200 million that the government has already committed through two grants rounds in 2010–11 to over 30 stormwater projects.
Healthy rivers and wetlands
A range of ecological benefits resulted from improved river flows throughout 2010–11 after many years of drought. The increased volume of Commonwealth environmental water was managed and used to promote healthy rivers and wetlands.
Water entitlement holdings are managed by the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder using a science-based approach, and with cooperative arrangements with states, site managers and others in the local community.
In 2010–11, Commonwealth environmental water use was better integrated with the environmental water arrangements of state jurisdictions and local level advisory bodies, including environmental water advisory groups. The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder continued to work closely with delivery partners to achieve the best outcomes from environmental water use.
Commonwealth environmental water use strategies have been developed for the majority of catchments across the Basin. Information in the strategy documents provide a basis for consultation on water use options at a local level. The material will be adapted as proposals are received and developed.
The department also led the development of national policies to implement the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance; waterfowl habitat; focusing on improved river health and aquatic ecosystems, and a national framework for High Ecological Value Aquatic Ecosystems.
Murray River between Mannum and Nildottie, South Australia. (John Baker)
Results
National program of water resource management
In 2010–11, Australian, state and territory governments strengthened their commitment to improve the management and use of Australia’s water resources, and most have agreed to the National Framework for Compliance and Enforcement Systems for Water Resource Management.
Progress was made toward developing a transparent and effective national water market, through:
- Water Charge (Infrastructure) Rules and Water Charge (Planning and Management Information) Rules coming into effect subject to various transitional periods
- Water Charge (Termination Fees) Rules being amended to allow irrigation infrastructure operators to include GST within termination fees
- adding reports on present trade volume and price data for allocations and entitlements to the National Water Market System website to support an effective national water market and help water users to make business decisions more efficiently.
A key environmental indicator for the health of the Murray-Darling Basin is for the Murray Mouth to be open to export salt. (Richard Brown, Lower Murray Infrastructure [DWLBC])
Sustainable Rural Water Use and Infrastructure Program
Investments under the Sustainable Rural Water Use and Infrastructure Program include funds provided to state governments to carry out agreed priority projects. There are also initiatives delivered directly from the Australian Government to industry organisations, councils, irrigators and irrigation water providers. Notable elements of the program include:
- Strengthening Basin Communities Water Savings Initiatives
- Private Irrigation Infrastructure Operators Program in New South Wales
- On-Farm Irrigation Efficiency Program
- Private Irrigation Infrastructure Program for South Australia
- Supporting More Efficient Irrigation in Tasmania.
At 30 June 2011, water buyback and infrastructure programs had recovered 1 118 gigalitres in water entitlements that will yield an average of 796 gigalitres of water for the environment. Funding commitments from the Sustainable Rural Water Use and Infrastructure Program are predominantly for State Priority Projects agreed in the Intergovernmental Agreement on Murray-Darling Basin Reform of July 2008. All State Priority Projects business cases submitted were assessed by a thorough due diligence process, consistent with the process agreed in the Murray-Darling Basin Intergovernmental Agreement.
Projects under the first round of the $300 million On-Farm Irrigation Efficiency Program helped irrigation communities in the Lachlan and southern-connected system of the Murray-Darling Basin to improve the efficiency and productivity of on-farm irrigation water use and management. Six delivery partners under round one are responsible for 345 individual on-farm projects, which have provided 25 gigalitres of savings to the Commonwealth to date.
The government is investing in pivot irrigators under its programs to modernise irrigation infrastructure. (Arthur Mostead)
All 12 funding agreements have been signed under round one of the Strengthening Basin Communities Water Savings Initiatives, with on-ground works under way. The minister also announced $35 million in funding to 24 local government authorities to improve water security through local water saving projects under round two. In total $79 million in planning and infrastructure grants to 99 projects involving over 100 local government authorities has now been offered under this program.
Further highlights for the Sustainable Rural Water Use and Infrastructure Program 2010–11 including State Priority Projects are as follows:
South Australia
- A project scheSouth Australiadule was signed for Lower Lakes early works for $21.04 million, and further funding of up to $118.49 million was announced for the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth project.
- A project schedule was signed for the removal of the Narrung Bund for $1.93 million.
- Project schedules were signed for both the Riverine Recovery Early Works and full Riverine Recovery project, with total government funding for Riverine Recovery of up to $89 million.
- All five projects approved to date under Private Irrigation Infrastructure Program for South Australia, totalling $3.4 million are under way, with one project completed.
Queensland
- A project schedule was signed for phase one of the Queensland On-Farm Water Use Efficiency Project Schedule for up to $36 million.
- Funding of $28 million was approved for successful applicants under round one of the Queensland Rural Water Use Efficiency project, which will return 7.95 gigalitres of water to the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder.
- Funding was approved for round two of the Queensland Healthy Head Waters Water Use Efficiency Project (a further $20 million).
- The project schedule for a Coal Seam Gas Water Feasibility Study was signed for $3.88 million.
Victoria
- Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project stage two was announced on 6 November 2010 for $952.8 million, with contract negotiations currently under way.
New South Wales
- All contracts with successful applicants under round one of the Private Irrigation Infrastructure Operators Program have been signed. Round two of the program was launched in February 2011.
- Groundbreaking technical studies for the Menindee Lakes Project, including new Darling River floodplain groundwater resources mapping and hydrological modelling of options for improved Menindee Lakes management, were substantially completed.
- The Gwydir and Border Rivers On-farm Irrigation Efficiency Pilot Project, returning 1.27 gigalitres of water to the Commonwealth for environmental use, was completed.
- The Orange City Pipeline Project for $47 million, with a $20 million government contribution was announced, and the Implementation Plan signed and first milestone achieved.
- The 12th Irrigation Modernisation Plan in New South Wales (for the Goodnight Irrigation Trust) started. Following contract signing, detailed planning and implementation work for a major upgrade to the Lithgow to Clarence Colliery water transfer pipeline worth $4 million began.
Tasmania
- The Whitemore Irrigation Scheme was commissioned on 20 May 2011 under the $140 million Implementation Plan for Supporting More Efficient Irrigation in Tasmania.
- Construction was completed to the pre-commissioning stage of another two projects of up to 12 new irrigation development projects. These were the Headquarters Road Dam and the Sassafras Wesley Vale Irrigation Scheme.
- On 17 April 2011, following a strategic assessment under the EPBC Act, the minister endorsed the Water Access Program for the Midlands Water Scheme.
Western Australia
- Construction of the Gascoyne Irrigation Pipeline project began.
Urban water infrastructure
In 2010–11, investment in infrastructure was increased to secure water supplies for cities and towns. The Australian Water Recycling Centre of Excellence and National Centre of Excellence in Desalination each made progress on researching, developing and commercialising new technologies.
- Investment was made in infrastructure projects to secure water supplies for major urban centres, for example:
- an aquifer storage and re-use system as part of City West Water’s West Werribee Dual Supply project in Victoria
- Hunter Water Corporation’s Lower Hunter Recycled Water Initiative in New South Wales
- infrastructure works to allow future expansion to 100 gigalitre capacity at the Southern Seawater Desalination Plant in Western Australia.
- Funding was provided to 22 projects to assist state, territory and local governments invest in stormwater harvesting and re-use.
- To deliver on the Australian Government’s 2010 election commitment to provide $100 million to expand the stormwater harvesting program, the third round of grants for stormwater harvesting and re-use projects was launched and the Waterproofing Eastern Adelaide and Waterproofing Greater Gawler projects were supported.
- The National Centre of Excellence in Desalination announced the outcomes of its first two funding rounds, with its third funding round closing May 2011. The 12 projects announced in the second round of funding included research to improve membrane performance, new types of desalination for remote areas, forward osmosis for simultaneous production of water and fertiliser, and solar powered desalination for rural communities.
- The Australian Water Recycling Centre of Excellence invested in the first stages of a project to develop a national validation framework for water recycling and held two funding rounds. The first was for a project to ensure that reclaimed water is seen as an acceptable ‘alternative’ water for drinking water augmentation, and the second for supporting various fundamental and applied research projects across the water recycling spectrum.
National Water Security Plan for Cities and Towns
- Funding of $77.4 million commenced for 35 projects under the competitive call for the National Water Security Plan for Cities and Towns. Projects completed included the Australian National Botanic Gardens non-potable pipeline project in Canberra, the Bellbrook water treatment plant project and theCooks River Management project in New South Wales. Further information about the Australian National Botanic Gardens project is detailed in case study 1.
- Planning and design commenced for the Nambucca Water Security Project in New South Wales.
Water Smart Australia
- Commitments of over $1.5 billion were made to 78 projects approved for funding under the Water Smart Australia program, which has been operating since 2004–05. In 2011–12, 21 projects are expected to be completed. Projects include stormwater harvesting and managed aquifer recharge, water recycling, infrastructure upgrades and environmental planning.
National Rainwater and Greywater Initiative
- During the reporting year 4 474 rebates totalling $2.15 million were made under the National Rainwater and Greywater Initiative.
Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Scheme
- Progress was made through the Environment Protection and Heritage Council’s decision in July 2010 to introduce minimum water efficiency standards for washing machines and water efficiency labelling for combined washer-dryers that use water in dryer mode.
- The final report of the Independent Review of the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) Scheme was tabled in parliament and work is now under way to implement the recommendations.
- Amendments to the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2005 received Royal Assent in March 2011. The amendments allow the minister to designate WaterMark scheme certification as a requirement for WELS product registrations. This will facilitate closer arrangements between the two schemes.
Healthy rivers and wetlands
During 2010–11, 387 gigalitres of Commonwealth environmental water was delivered to the Basin’s rivers, wetlands and floodplains. This brings the total amount of Commonwealth water delivered to the environment since environmental watering began to more than 553 gigalitres. State governments, the Living Murray Initiative and private donations have contributed a further 342 gigalitres to joint watering actions.
Commonwealth environmental water helped support environmental assets during the drought that ended in 2010. More recently, it has been used to capitalise on improved river flows. This water is contributing to various ecological benefits across the Basin, including better health of river red gums and improved habitat for birds, fish and frogs. As 2010–11 was a wet year, a substantial volume of water has been carried over for use in the future, providing insurance for the environment when drier times return.
The significantly larger volume of water available in 2010–11 meant that the scope of environmental watering to promote higher floodplain–river connectivity could be expanded and high-flow river and floodplain functional processes could be supported. Some highlights of 2010–11 include:
- the largest use of Commonwealth environmental water to date—over 100 gigalitres of water were delivered to hundreds of wetlands along the Murrumbidgee River, benefiting the Murray system as far downstream as South Australia’s Lower Lakes and Coorong
- inundation of the Gwydir wetlands was extended for the first time in a decade with the use of environmental water
- the largest flooding event in a decade for the Macquarie Marshes area was extended with the use of environmental water
- delivery of over 80 gigalitres of Commonwealth environmental water to the Lower Lakes and the Coorong, helping to reduce the risk of acidification and improve habitat for water birds and other species.
The minister also announced $118 million in funding for the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth Recovery Project to manage the ecological values of the lake system consistent with the Long-term Plan for the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth, developed by the South Australian Government.
Another key outcome for the health of rivers and wetlands during 2010–11 was the repayment of the Snowy Mowamba Borrowings Account and release of approximately 17 gigalitres of environmental flow into the Snowy River in November 2010, with a further seven gigalitres released in April 2011.
Water being released from Jindabyne Dam in November 2010 to benefit the Snowy River environment.
Other progress included:
- The rolling review of Australia’s Ramsar sites continued. Ramsar site-specific status forms were developed, piloting the review at 20 sites and developing site-specific threat conceptual models to identify suitable indicators to include in site status forms.
- Further development of the Ecological Character Descriptions for Australian Ramsar sites to describe the ecological character and values of Ramsar wetlands and inform future management planning.
- The release of the National guidance for the management of acid sulphate soils in inland aquatic ecosystems, to help mitigate the potentially harmful effects of inland acid sulphate soils.
- Bringing together key stakeholders to discuss the future opportunities and challenges at the Lake Eyre Basin Conference in September 2010.
Evaluation
The department delivered a high proportion of the administered appropriations for water reform through projects and grant schemes. Project plans included strategies for monitoring and evaluating progress against milestones, and methods for judging success when projects were completed. A project board monitored all major projects, and the highest risk projects reported quarterly to the Departmental Management Board. At a strategic level, the department progressed initiatives that aim to embed a culture of best-practice project management, governance and risk management across the organisation.
Individual programs within the Water for the Future initiative were subject to internal and external performance audits. For example, a performance audit of the Restoring the Balance in the Murray-Darling Basin Program and use of water under that program was conducted by the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO). In the report delivered in February 2011, the ANAO concluded that the department had put in place satisfactory arrangements to administer the program. It also concluded that the department had demonstrated that it had met its obligations with respect to procurement principles, including the development and documentation of clear approaches to identifying and assessing value for money. The ANAO found that the department had established adequate internal arrangements to support timely and effective decisions by the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder.
An internal audit of three programs within the Sustainable Rural Water Use and Infrastructure Program commenced as well as an ANAO performance review of the New South Wales Private Irrigation Infrastructure Operators Program commenced during 2010–11. The department’s Audit Committee continued to take a risk-based approach in deciding which areas of activity to audit, including performance.
In 2010–11, the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder published a second environmental water outcomes report. The report described the results from the second year of Commonwealth environmental watering in 2009–10. The positive signs of improvement first identified in the 2008–09 report were again present—there was evidence of improved tree growth, decreased salinity and continued benefits to a variety of plants and animals. The benefits were felt more widely across the Basin as the volume of the Commonwealth environmental water holdings continued to increase.
Outcome 4, program 4.1
Deliverables
Deliverables |
PBS Target |
Results |
|---|---|---|
| The department will work with states and territories and partner organisations involved in Water for the Future to improve how water is used and managed. | ||
| A national program of water reform | ||
| Communities and industry, particularly in the Murray-Darling Basin are resilient, sustainable and well positioned to adapt to a future with reduced water availability. This will be achieved by:
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No target | Co-ordination of consolidated government advice to the Murray-Darling Basin Authority to assist in preparation of the Proposed Basin Plan. This includes detailed advice on the complementary role that the government’s Water for the Future initiatives are making towards delivering a healthy river system, strong regional communities and sustainable food production. By 30 June 2011 the department had secured 1 052 gigalitres of water entitlements through the ‘Restoring the Balance’ water purchase program, part of the Water for the Future initiative to ‘bridge the gap’ between future Sustainable Diversion Limits and existing water diversions in the Murray-Darling Basin. These entitlements will provide, on average, 749.9 gigalitres of water for the environment each year. In addition, 55.3 gigalitres of water entitlements were secured by the Commonwealth from the water savings made from infrastructure investments that will provide, on average, 35.2 gigalitres of water for the environment each year.1 |
Reforms have delivered more efficient use of Australian water resources, based on sound knowledge, information, expertise and best-practice. This will be achieved by:
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No target | |
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All State Priority Projects business cases submitted were assessed by a thorough due diligence process, consistent with the process agreed in the Murray-Darling Basin Intergovernmental Agreement and the individual Commonwealth–State Water Partnership Agreements. | |
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Significant progress was made in implementing the new institutional management arrangements:
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| Australian water resources are used effectively through a well functioning and transparent water market without trade restriction. This will be achieved by developing effective markets in rural and urban water to efficiently allocate scarce water to its most productive uses. |
No target | Progress to develop a transparent and effective national water market included:
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| In rural areas | ||
| Irrigation is significantly more efficient and water savings are shared between irrigators and the environment. This will be achieved by improving the efficiency of irrigation by investing with states, territories and industry in upgrading irrigation infrastructure both on-and off-farm. This will make communities and the irrigation sector more resilient, sustainable and better positioned to adapt to lower water availability. |
No target | The department continued to invest in upgrading irrigation infrastructure through the Sustainable Rural Water Use and Infrastructure Program and related programs and projects. Examples are in the main content on Outcome 4. |
| In urban areas | ||
| Urban water use is more efficient and supply more secure. This will be achieved by: assisting urban communities and businesses to secure water supplies by investing with states and territories in upgraded infrastructure, and adopting and developing new technologies
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No target | Invested in infrastructure projects to secure water supplies for major urban centres such as:
Significant achievements of the Water Efficiency Labelling Standards (WELS) include:
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| Healthy rivers and wetlands | ||
Australia’s rivers, wetlands and freshwater ecosystems are healthy and will be achieved by:
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No target | Please refer to the Commonwealth environmental water annual report at page 261.
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The department led the development of national policies on implementing the Ramsar Convention, river health, and aquatic ecosystems, including developing a national framework for High Ecological Value Aquatic Ecosystems. | |
| Efficiency of rural water use | ||
| Commonwealth-led programs under the Intergovernmental Agreement (projects on schedule). | Yes | 100% |
| State-led programs under the Intergovernmental Agreement-funded by the Commonwealth (projects on schedule). | Yes | 83%* |
| Other projects for rural water use (projects on schedule). | Yes | 90% |
| Secure water supplies for cities and towns, remote communities and business | ||
| Recycling, desalination and stormwater harvesting. | Projects on schedule | 85% |
| Centres of Excellence in desalination and water recycling. | Research underway | 100% |
| Other approved urban project commitments. | Projects on schedule | 95% |
| Help households and businesses use water more efficiently | ||
| Green precincts. | Projects on schedule | 69% |
| Assist states, territories and landowners improve management of rivers and wetlands | ||
| Ramsar site ecological character descriptions [%]. | 100 | 98% |
1 In addition, Queensland gifted 10.6 gigalitres to the Commonwealth.
* Percentage of projects on schedule against agreed timelines, however there have been delays in the rollout of some major projects.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
KPIs |
PBS Target |
Results |
|---|---|---|
| In 2010–11 the department will help to implement the Australian Government’s policies and programs, including the implementation of programs and working with its partner governments through COAG and relevant ministerial councils, contributing to: responding to climate change, using water wisely, securing water supplies and healthy rivers and waterways. | ||
| A national program of water reform | ||
| The National Water Commission will complete in 2011 its third biennial assessment of the National Water Initiative. This will assess the progress of the department, other Commonwealth agencies, the states and territories in delivering the reform program set in 2004 in the National Water Initiative. | No target | The National Water Commission biennial review of the National Water Initiative is due for publication in the second half of 2011. |
| In rural areas | ||
| The water savings directly attributable to the department’s investments in irrigation efficiency will be reported annually to 2017 as: | ||
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No target | Irrigators retained an estimated 55 270 megalitres of water entitlements as their share of water savings from projects that increased water use efficiency. |
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No target | The quantities and location of water entitlements transferred to the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder for use for the environment are recorded on the department’s website. |
| In urban areas | ||
| The department will quantify the amount of water available to urban water users as a result of the department’s investment in projects that provide new sources of supply of water. | 77 560 megalitres. | |
| Department to describe the outcomes from funding projects that aim to promote efficient water use. | These are described in the main text and include:
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| Estimate of water savings. | 17 608 megalitres. | |
| Healthy rivers and wetlands | ||
| The purchase of water entitlements will continue to be reported on the department’s website, so that the public can see how the water buyback program is helping to restore a more sustainable balance between environmental and extractive uses in individual catchments and across the Murray-Darling Basin. | No target | By 30 June 2011 the Department had secured the purchase of 1 052.3 gigalitres of water entitlements to ‘bridge the gap’ between future Sustainable Diversion Limits and existing water diversions in the Murray-Darling Basin. These entitlements will provide, on average, 749.9 gigalitres of water for the environment each year. |
| Environmental watering actions will be reported on the department’s website, in the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder’s annual report and through a separate annual outcomes report. This information will describe the watering actions undertaken, the objectives of those actions and the outcomes achieved in terms of improved health of rivers and wetlands. | No target | Please refer to the Commonwealth Environmental Water annual report at page 261. |
| Rural water project efficiency | ||
| Off-farm efficiency [% increase in systems where investments are made] | No target (because programs are yet to be completed). | 0 (because programs are yet to be completed). |
| On-farm efficiency [% increase in systems where investments are made] | No target (because programs are yet to be completed). | 0 (because programs are yet to be completed). |
Resources
The following resources relate to information referred to in Outcome 4, Sustainable Water.
Australian National Botanic Gardens Non-Potable Pipeline Project documentary
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TTSRjE4gC0
Case studies about the delivery of environmental water to key sites in the Murray-Darling Basin
www.environment.gov.au/about/media/water/index.html
Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder—statutory position
www.environment.gov.au/water/policy-programs/cewh/index.html
Environmental flows in the Snowy River
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcDHc63Aehw&feature=channel_video_title
Environmental watering at Hattah-Kulkyne Lakes
www.youtube.com/user/DeptEnvironment#p/u/21/uxd81tK-hFM
Environmental watering at Yanga National Park
www.youtube.com/watch?v=odbi35Oit38
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
www.gbrmpa.gov.au/
How the Great Artesian Basin works
www.youtube.com/user/DeptEnvironment#p/search/4/oI3QI5SRBFY
Lake Eyre Basin Agreement
www.lebmf.gov.au/
Murray Darling Basin Authority
www.mdba.gov.au/
National Botanic Gardens non potable water project 2011
www.youtube.com/user/DeptEnvironment#p/u/4/3TTSRjE4gC0
National water market information and resources
www.nationalwatermarket.gov.au
Sydney Harbour Federation Trust
www.harbourtrust.gov.au/index.html
Water Efficiency Labeling and Standards (WELS) Scheme—Australian Government initiative
www.waterrating.gov.au/
Water for the Future—Australian Government initiative
www.environment.gov.au/water/index.html
Water for the Future
www.youtube.com/user/DeptEnvironment#p/search/2/eeikUkHkiFo
Water for the Future: Murray-Darling Basin
www.youtube.com/user/DeptEnvironment#p/search/5/OnoYIpZCon0
Water Matters newsletter
www.environment.gov.au/water/publications/watermatters/index.html