Archived Industry News for Water Professionals
The Victorian Government has released the Living Melbourne, Living Victoria roadmap which identifies priority areas of urban water reform.
The roadmap recommends eight key directions including:
- An agreed vision for the contribution of water to urban liveability, through protection from flooding, improving the health of urban waterways and supporting green landscapes.
- Greater customer choice and innovation in water products on offer, the water charges they pay and their level of service.
- Improved integration of urban and water planning through planning and building regulations that facilitate integrated water cycle management.
- Optimised use of all available water sources, including fit-for-purpose alternative water supplies.
- Better environmental and public health outcomes supported by clear regulations to ensure both customers and the environment are protected.
- A common approach to the economic evaluation of water projects to ensure broader benefits, such as downstream water quality and reduced risk of flooding, are recognised.
- Approaches to pricing that recognise the value of the water resource and reward customers for conserving water.
- Strengthened institutional and governance arrangements to hold service providers to account for their performance.
The Living Victoria Ministerial Advisory Council will build on the roadmap by delivering a detailed implementation plan.
Commission of Inquiry to investigate Queensland floods
The Queensland Government has established a statewide independent Commission of Inquiry to forensically examine the 2011 flood disaster.
Helena Water Consortium to operate Mundaring water treatment plant
Spain’s Acciona Agua is part of the winning consortium to design, build and operate the Mundaring water treatment plant in Perth, WA.
Caring for Our Country review discussion paper released
A discussion paper on Australian Government investment in natural resource management has been released for public consultation, as part of the Caring for Our Country Review.
New maps show severity of Victorian floods
The Department of Sustainability and Environment has released maps showing the severity of Victoria’s floods in January.
Economic and social impact of Murray-Darling Basin Plan paper released
ABARES has issued 'The economic and social effects of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan: recent research and steps'.
Coasts and Climate Change Council extended
The Federal Government has announced the extension of the Coasts and Climate Change Council until December 2011, saying its principal focus would be on advising government to ensure progress on coastal adaptation.
Water recycling education centre opens
A new Water Recycling Education Centre has opened in Sydney to explain the role of water recycling in securing the state’s water supply.
Victorian desalination plant table of payments released
AquaSure has agreed to the release of the forecast yearly payments beginning in 2012/13 for the desalination plant.
New interim directors for Goulburn-Murray Water Board
Minister for Water Peter Walsh has appointed new directors to the Goulburn-Murray Water board in an interim capacity.
Adelaide groundwater research site launched
A $3.3 million groundwater research site is being officially launched at Willunga on Adelaide's southern fringe.
Pipeline to secure Hobart's water supply underway
An $8 million bulk water duplication pipeline project to secure supplies to greater Hobart has commenced.
Integrated urban water management tool released
The eWater CRC has released the Urban Developer Beta, a new tool to support integrated urban water management.
Government meets with Murray-Darling regional committees
Regional Australia Minister Simon Crean and the new chairman of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Craig Knowles, have met with 11 Regional Development Australia (RDA) committees from the Murray-Darling Basin.
SA Opposition calls for Edwardstown groundwater contamination inquiry
The South Australian Opposition is calling for a full parliamentary inquiry into the Edwardstown groundwater contamination scare.
Mundaring Water Treatment Plant consortium announced
The Western Australian government has selected Helena Water as the preferred consortium to fund, build and operate the new Mundaring Water Treatment Plant.
2010-11 Southern Basin water entitlement purchase announced
A new $40 million water purchase tender in the southern connected Murray-Darling Basin has been announced by the Federal Government.
SA Water awarded millions in breach of contract row
SA Water has been awarded millions of dollars in a lengthy dispute with United Water over pricing.
New approach to Murray-Darling Basin water recovery
The Federal Government has announced a new approach to water recovery in the Murray Darling Basin, which will include changes to taxation arragnement for irrigators.
Urban Water panel meets in Adelaide
The Urban Water Stakeholder Reference Panel, which advises the Australian Government on urban water policies and programs, has met in Adelaide to discuss urban water management and the future of stormwater harvesting and reuse.