National Water Initiative
The Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts is working to facilitate the conservation and sustainable management of freshwater resources by progressing the development and implementation of Australia's water-related environment policy.
The National Water Initiative (NWI), agreed in 2004 by the Council of Australian Governments, is the national blueprint for water reform. Implementation of the NWI is assisted by the national water framework, Water for the Future, and the $2 billion Australian Government Water Fund. The NWI is monitored by the National Water Commission.
The NWI is a shared commitment by governments to increase the efficiency of Australia's water use, leading to greater certainty for investment and productivity, for rural and urban communities, and for the environment.
Under the NWI, governments have made commitments to:
- prepare water plans with provision for the environment
- deal with over-allocated or stressed water systems
- introduce registers of water rights and standards for water accounting
- expand the trade in water
- improve pricing for water storage and delivery
- meet and manage urban water demands
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