Funding cuts to water management programs
The Government has targeted three areas for savings in water management programs.
It will reduce departmental funding by $61.2 million over two years (including $39.0 million in 2016-17) for the Driving Reform in the Murray-Darling Basin program.
The remaining program funding of $234.2 million over five years from 2012-13 will enable the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities to continue delivery of the governance and operational reforms for the integrated management of water resources in the Murray-Darling Basin.
Funding for the National Urban Water and Desalination Plan will be reduced by by $25.7 million in 2011-12 by funding fewer projects.
The remaining program funding of $201.9 million over four years from 2012-13 will continue to be available for desalination, recycling and stormwater harvesting projects.
A further $16.5 million in savings in 2011-12 will be obtained from the National Water Security Plan for Cities and Towns, including $10.0 million in payments to the states. Funding will no longer be provided for a number of urban water projects where proponents have not met the conditions of their funding agreements or due diligence requirements.
The remaining program funding of $96.0 million over four years from 2012-13 will remain available for projects that reduce water losses in cities and towns nationally with populations of less than 50,000.