Water: 2007-08 Budget initiatives
$10 billion plan to improve water management across the nation
The National Plan for Water Security is a bold new approach to ensure that rural water use is placed on a sustainable footing within the next decade. Building on the National Water Initiative, the plan will improve water efficiency and address over-allocation of water in rural Australia through targeted works in five key areas:
National Plan for Water Security – Modernising Irrigation in Australia
The Australian Government is providing funding to reduce the loss of water through leakage, evaporation and obtaining efficiencies through updating outmoded irrigation methods. The funds will also improve metering, monitoring and accounting of water and improve the efficiency of river flow and water storage operations. The efficiencies gained will be shared between farming communities and the environment for river and wetland health.
National Plan for Water Security – Addressing Over-allocation in the Murray Darling Basin
The Australian Government is providing funding to address over-allocation of water in the Murray Darling Basin and to improve security of entitlements and river health. This will involve the provision of structural adjustment assistance, with only modest amounts of water intended to be bought from willing sellers to achieve the required outcomes.
National Plan for Water Security – Reforming the Murray Darling Basin Commission
The Australian Government is providing funding to reform the Murray Darling Basin Commission as an Australian Government agency with sole responsibility for water management functions in the Murray Darling Basin. The Commission will administer a basin-wide strategic plan setting sustainable diversion levels in the Murray Darling Basin, and set rules for water trading and charging regimes.
National Plan for Water Security – Improving Water Information (Bureau Of Meteorology)
The Australian Government is providing funding to develop the capacity to enable management, interpretation and free public access to water information, including forecasting and establishing comprehensive water accounts. The funds will also standardise information to support sustainable management of water resources.
National Plan for Water Security – Northern Australia and the Great Artesian Basin
The Australian Government is providing funding to examine the potential for future land and water development in Northern Australia. In addition, the Australian Government will provide funding to help ensure a sustainable future in the Great Artesian Basin through further investment. This builds on funding previously provided for the Great Artesian Basin Sustainability Initiative which caps old, free flowing bores and replaces open drains with pipes to reduce wastage and encourage better land and water management in the Basin.
Scouts Australia 100 Year Anniversary – Water Saving Infrastructure
The Australian Government is providing $17.7 million in 2006-07 for rain water tanks and related water saving infrastructure in scout halls across Australia to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Scouts Australia. This will reduce the impact on local water supplies and raise awareness of wise water use.