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Australia's water resources

New Measures to deal with the Critical Situation in the Murray-Darling Basin  

The Australian Government has announced three sets of new water initiatives to help deal with the critical situation in the Murray-Darling Basin, including:

River

Restoring the Balance in the Murray-Darling Basin Program (water entitlement purchasing)

The Australian Government's initial $50 million water buy-back in the 2007-08 financial year, will secure entitlements to approximately 35 billion litres of water for the Murray-Darling Basin rivers. Purchases are currently being finalised across the Basin.

Water for the Future

Water for the Future is a long-term national plan to secure the water supply of all Australians.

The Government is investing $12.9 billion over ten years through Water for the Future to address four key priorities:

Water for the Future programs

Murray-Darling Basin Authority - transition

On 3 July 2008, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) signed an Intergovernmental Agreement on Murray-Darling Basin Reform. A key component of the new governance arrangements is to transfer the current powers and functions of the Murray-Darling Basin Commission to the new Murray-Darling Basin Authority.

Intergovernmental Agreement on Murray-Darling Basin reform signed at COAG

On the 3 July 2008 the Prime Minister, Premiers of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Queensland and the Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory signed an Intergovernmental Agreement on Murray-Darling Basin reform.

COAG 2008 forward work program on water

The work program will develop concrete actions on high priority water management issues in both rural and urban Australia, including accelerating commitments previously made under the National Water Initiative.

National Leadership on Water

On 26 March 2008, the Council of Australian Government (COAG) agreed to a new forward work program on water to develop concrete actions on high priority water management issues in both rural and urban Australia. This priority work will build on and accelerate implementation of the National Water Initiative. COAG also agreed to a cooperative and accountable Memorandum of Understanding between all Murray-Darling Basin states.

On 29 April at the 4th Annual Australian Water Summit, Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Minister for Climate Change and Water, outlined the Government's $12.9 billion plan on water - 'Water for the Future'.

Australia's prosperity and future lies in managing water well. The well-being of Australia's population and environment depend on the good management and wise use of our water resources in the face of a protracted drought and long-term climate change.

Paroo River, Queensland

Paroo River, Queensland

Photo Andrew Tatnell

The Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts has responsibility for implementing the following key initiatives and legislation:

The Department also develops and implements Australian Government policy, programs and legislation to assist in the sustainable management of the Murray-Darling Basin and our rivers, groundwater, wetlands and urban water. Other specific responsibilities include:

Key

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