LEGISLATION due to be tabled in federal parliament today will seek to implement the government’s highly-anticipated response to the independent review of the Water Act.
The review was conducted by a four-member panel of water policy experts and tabled in November last year.
It’s understood the government’s legislation will support implementing the review’s 23 recommendations in part or full.
That response is expected to include backing five-yearly reviews of the Murray Darling Basin Plan’s socio-economic impacts on farming and rural communities.
The Basin Plan’s next statutory review point is also set to be deferred to 2026 and changes that will please irrigation and agricultural stakeholders will boost the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder’s capacity and flexibility around water trading conditions.
Federal Agriculture and Water Resources Minister Barnaby Joyce gained water policy responsibility when the new Turnbull ministry was appointed mid-September.
He has also backed moves to improve the CEWH’s water-trading flexibility while maintaining environmental targets in delivering on the Basin Plan’s baseline water-target of 2750 gigalitres in Sustainable Diversion Limits (SDLs).
The Water Amendment (Review Implementation and Other Measures) Bill 2015 has been flagged for tabling in federal parliament, to deliver amendments to the Water Act.
Mr Joyce said the independent review found that the Water Act’s fundamentals remained sound.
But he said implementing the review recommendations would improve the Water Act’s practical operations to better support the economic, social and environmental benefits the Basin Plan is designed to deliver.
“Water is a precious resource for our communities, economies and the environment, and continues to be a critical input for agriculture,” he said.
“I thank the expert panel - Eamonn Moran PSM QC, Peter Anderson, Dr Steve Morton and Gavin McMahon - for their efforts in reviewing the Act.
“Our response to the review of the Water Act underlines our continuing commitment to implement the Murray Darling Basin Plan in full and on time.”
The government also believes its response to the review will help cut red tape while delivering better outcomes for farmers without hindering environmental goals in the iconic river system and food bowl.
It’s understood the proposed Water Act changes were debated at the Murray Darling Basin Ministerial Council meeting in Sydney last week that was chaired by Mr Joyce and attended by relevant State ministers.
The Victorian and NSW representatives are believed to have expressed concerns about moves to give the Murray Darling Basin Authority oversight powers of the CEWH’s new water trading powers and environmental water allocations.
Farming and irrigation stakeholders are also understood to have seen a largely redacted version of the proposed legislation and will reserve final judgment until seeing the full text that’s tabled in parliament.
National Irrigators Council CEO Tom Chesson said his members supported the changes to the CEWH but wanted the government to remain open to consultation and considering any changes to the proposed legislation, after it was tabled, to address any concerns.
Mr Chesson said irrigation groups had also argued strongly for five-year reviews of the Basin Plan’s social and economic impacts.
But he said they wanted any analysis of those community impacts – due to the loss of productive water – to be assessed accumulatively, based on reforms that have occurred over the past decade.
“We support the CEWH using funds raised by trading excess water to deliver environmental outcomes,” he said.
“It has always been about the environmental outcomes and not just about the volume of water, for us, as it should be also for the government.”
It’s understood Mr Joyce will table the government’s full response to the independent review with the proposed legislation.
Recently, the Coalition also passed legislation to cap government water-buybacks at 1500GL in the Basin Plan; a pledge made from opposition by former leader Tony Abbott.
The Water Act review report recommended providing the CEWH with greater flexibility in using the proceeds of water trade to deliver environmental outcomes.
It also said significant progress had been made since the Basin Plan commenced but more was needed to deliver it in full by July 1, 2019 and ensure its “objectives and outcomes will be realised”.
“This involves a substantial implementation program as well as a sustained commitment from governments and their agencies, industries and communities to work together in partnership, respecting each-others’ roles, responsibilities and expertise,” the report said.
