Rivers and basins
Mannum, South Australia
Photo John Baker
The Australian Government is committed to achieving ecologically sustainable management of our rivers, wetlands and groundwater resources.
National Water Initiative
The National Water Initiative (NWI), agreed in 2004 by the Council of Australian Governments, is the national blueprint for water reform. One of the key aims of the NWIis to restore surface and groundwater systems to environmentally sustainable levels.
The NWI strengthens water resource planning frameworks, which are a responsibility of state and territory governments. Water sharing plans will establish clear pathways to return all river and groundwater systems to environmentally sustainable levels of extraction and identify where surface and groundwater systems are connected so that they can be managed as a single resource.
Importance of water quality and river health
Water quality and river health is a priority for the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, as it is a crucial component of the sustainable management of our rivers, wetlands and groundwater basins. The department is involved in a number of initiatives that aim to protect and improve water quality.
Other natural resource management initiatives
The coordinated planning, use and management of water, land, vegetation and other natural resources, are important components of integrated natural resource management. This approach recognises that human activities within a region should not take place in isolation from each other and the environment, and brings all stakeholders together to form a plan of action to achieve economic, environmental and social goals.
- National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality (NAP)
- Natural Heritage Trust
- Natural Resource Management
News
See also
- Australian Water Resources 2005
- Coasts and oceans
- Lake Eyre Basin Agreement
- Living Murray Initiative
- Meteorological information for primary industry and natural resources management
- National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality (NAP)
- National Centre for Tropical Wetland Research
- National Framework for Improved Groundwater Management in Australia
- National Principles for the Provision of Water for Ecosystems
- Water for a Healthy Country Flagship
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