South West Water Resources — Water Policy Overview
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South West Water Resources — Water Policy Overview Department of Water April 2007 Level 4, 168 St Georges Terrace Perth Western Australia 6000 <www.water.wa.gov.au> Telephone +61-8-6364 7600 Facsimile +61-8-6364 7601 For more information about this report, contact the Strategic Water Planning branch on +61- 8-6364 7600. April 2007 South West Water Resources: Water Policy Overview Contents Purpose of this paper .............................................................................................. 6 Draft State Water Policy Framework....................................................................... 7 Draft Water Planning Framework............................................................................ 7 Vision for Water Management in Western Australia................................................ 7 Draft objectives for water management in Western Australia.................................. 8 Plan and manage water resources sustainably..................................................... 9 Sustainability and current and future generations ................................................. 10 Community involvement........................................................................................ 10 Adaptive management .......................................................................................... 13 Water resource management — State-wide ......................................................... 14 Water planning...................................................................................................... 21 Interests of Indigenous communities..................................................................... 26 Fair and transparent processes ............................................................................ 29 Build knowledge and capacity through science and innovation ....................... 31 Sound science ...................................................................................................... 32 Resource investigation and assessment............................................................... 32 Water resource accounting ................................................................................... 33 Water resources information................................................................................. 35 Performance monitoring........................................................................................ 37 3 South West Water Resources: Water Policy Overview Innovation and research........................................................................................ 38 Capacity building and public education................................................................. 41 Protect water resources to conserve our environment ...................................... 45 Planning for the environment ................................................................................ 45 Ecological conservation ........................................................................................ 49 Water quality......................................................................................................... 49 Water and environmental outcomes ..................................................................... 50 Water and the environment................................................................................... 51 Enhance the security and certainty of water resources ..................................... 53 Environmental and social water requirements ...................................................... 54 Reservation of allocations..................................................................................... 54 Water allocations and licensing............................................................................. 55 Speculation in water allocations............................................................................ 58 Water allocation and planning............................................................................... 58 Separation of water allocation from land............................................................... 58 Water allocations in developed and undeveloped resources ................................ 59 Risk assignment.................................................................................................... 59 Water markets and trading.................................................................................... 59 Water transfers ..................................................................................................... 60 Cost recovery for resource management.............................................................. 60 Develop water resources to support a diverse and vibrant economy............... 61 4 South West Water Resources: Water Policy Overview Water use efficiency.............................................................................................. 61 Sustainability assessment..................................................................................... 65 Fit for purpose....................................................................................................... 66 Resource development ......................................................................................... 66 Water sensitive design.......................................................................................... 70 Deliver services to build strong and healthy communities ................................ 71 Water services for public health and communities ................................................ 72 Source protection and catchment management.................................................... 75 Water service licensing ......................................................................................... 78 Services to new developments ............................................................................. 78 Asset management and financial capacity............................................................ 78 Funding for water services.................................................................................... 79 Affordability ........................................................................................................... 79 Dispute resolution ................................................................................................. 80 Abbreviations ........................................................................................................... 81 5 South West Water Resources: Water Policy Overview Purpose of this paper The initial work on this paper was done by the Department of Premier and Cabinet prior to June 2006. Responsibility for the development of the South West Water Plan was transferred to the Department of Water from June 2006. At the time this document was written the State Policy Objectives were in a draft format. They have since been finalised and released for public comment. Therefore some of the objectives in this document may differ from those that are now listed in the State Water Plan. The purpose of this paper was to provide detailed information on water resources and services management in relation to the State Policy objectives as part of the development of the South West Water Plan. It should be read in conjunction with: • The South West Water Plan – an invitation to participate • South West Water Resources: A Regional Overview; and • South West Water Resources: A Review of Future Trends. There will be a number of opportunities for public and stakeholder input into the South West Water Plan at all stages of the development process. The Invitation to Participate paper provides details on how community members can register their interest in community workshops that will occur as a part of the development of the South West Water Plan 6 South West Water Resources: Water Policy Overview Draft State Water Policy Framework In January 2006, members of the State Water Forum were invited to a workshop to assist in developing the Draft Water Policy Framework, which was released for public comment and consultation in early April 2006. Community input was received through eight workshops held in regional locations around the State. In addition, submissions were invited from the public and additional consultation was undertaken with Indigenous people. The public comment period closed on 16 June 2006. The draft vision for water management in Western Australia was identified by delegates to the October 2002 Water Symposium held at Parliament House. Therefore, it represents a shared community and government vision to guide water resource management in Western Australia. The findings of the Water Symposium resulted in the release of the State Water Strategy in February 2003. There were two parts to the Strategy – a series of initiatives and programs; and key themes to underpin a policy approach to water management. The initiatives of the State Water Strategy are ongoing. They include Waterwise rebates, a focus on reuse and recycling, water use efficiency, the ‘security through diversity’ source development program and the Premier’s Water Foundation, which funds research into innovative ways to use water wisely. The Draft Water Policy Framework builds on and embeds the policy themes of the Strategy. The following draft statements have been taken from that document: Draft Water Planning Framework The Water Planning Framework is being developed as a component of the State Water Plan and will be available for comment in October 2006. The planning framework will outline the scope