Trade of Commonwealth environmental water
Discussion paper and request for information
In order to help inform the development of water trading arrangements, a discussion paper on trade of Commonwealth environmental water was released for consultation over the period November 2011 to May 2012. Forty three submissions were received on the discussion paper from a range of stakeholders including national and state industry groups, irrigation corporations, state government agencies, water brokers and individuals.
A Request for Information was sent to water market intermediaries on 23 February 2012 seeking information on the services they could provide to support trading by Commonwealth Environmental Water Office.
Seven submissions were received on the request for information from water market intermediaries.
As indicated in the discussion paper, the next step in the process will be the public release of a position paper outlining our responses to the issues raised in the submissions. The position paper will inform development of operating rules which will establish the general framework within which trade will occur.
As the process of developing trading arrangements is ongoing, we welcome feedback, both formal and informal, on trading arrangements at any stage. Feedback can be sent to: ewater@environment.gov.au, or by mail to the following address:
Commonwealth Environmental Water Office
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
GPO Box 787
Canberra ACT 2601