Implementation of the National Water Initiative in South Australia

South Australia

Australian Government Funding: $12,885,590

About the project

This project has encompassed a suite of sub-projects to accelerate the implementation of the National Water Initiative (NWI) in South Australia. The project has improved water management planning in South Australia, to ensure environmental sustainability, and to provide certainty of access for all water users. The project has also included the establishment of an integrated information management system for South Australia's water information. This project reinforces both the South Australian Government's and the Australian Governments' commitment to the National Water Initiative.

Project benefits

The project has advanced the implementation of the National Water Initiative in South Australia. The implementation of the National Water Initiative will result in a nationally compatible market, regulatory and planning based system of managing surface and groundwater resources for rural and urban use that optimises economic, social and environmental outcomes.

About the National Water Initiative

The NWI builds on the previous Council of Australian Governments (COAG) framework for water reform signed by the Australian Government and all state and territory governments in 1994. Since 1994, national reform agreements of this kind have proved important for guiding water reform and maintaining the pace of water reform. The National Water Initiative represents the Australian Government's and the state and territory governments' shared commitment to water reform in recognition of:

the continuing national imperative to increase the productivity and efficiency of Australia's water use
the need to service rural and urban communities
the importance of ensuring the health of river and groundwater systems, including by establishing clear pathways to return all systems to environmentally sustainable levels of extraction.