Publication (Media): Scientists give Water Reform process the thumbs up

Publication Type:	Media Release
Publication Name:	Scientists give Water Reform process the thumbs up

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Crompton, J and Markwort, K (1997) Scientists give Water Reform process the thumbs up - Dec 12 1997, CRCFE, Canberra - Media Release.

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12 DECEMBER 1997

CRCFE

Scientists give Water Reform process the thumbs up

The science underpinning the proposed NSW Government's Water Reforms has been given the thumbs up by more than 40 Australian water scientists.

The scientists, all of whom are acknowledged as experts in their field, examined the science that is being used to determine river flow objectives for NSW as part of the proposed water reforms.

The independent, full-day forum was hosted by the Cooperative Research Centre for Freshwater Ecology (CRCFE) with the support of the Environment Protection Authority (EPA), following the release of the Proposed Interim Environmental Objectives for NSW Waters.

Presentations were made on the approach that NSW is using for rivers under stress, the aims and principles of river flow objectives and the relationship between flow and water quality; the new weir policy; as well as the implementation of the River Management Committees.

Time was also devoted to discussion of these key issues.

Director of the CRCFE, Professor Peter Cullen, who chaired the proceedings, said that there was strong support for the approach being used by the NSW Government to drive the water reforms.

Prof Cullen issued a challenge, however, saying that ongoing monitoring needed to be built into the NSW Water Reform package so that the NSW public could determine whether or not the reforms were working.

"We need to be able to measure whether or not the environment is responding favourably to the management strategies being implemented," Prof Cullen said.

"However, we also need to recognise that it may take a long time until we see improvement as there will be no overnight solutions and the environment may take a long time to respond.

"On more positive note, the Government's approach does recognise the complexity of the Australian environment: that variability, droughts and flooding rains, is the spice essential to Australian biodiversity," he said. "It is more than a bandaid approach; it is trying to work directly with the understanding that we have of how these rivers operate."

"We also fully support the catchment approach which recognises the uniqueness of each river valley and the problems confronting it, and doesn't attempt to impose a universal 'fix-it' to our waterways.

"We particularly applaud the Government's adaptive management approach which will allow committees to refine the policies adopted for each catchment on an annual basis. This open framework ensures that the latest, cutting-edge science can be integrated into management activities but still gives security to those people dependent on the rivers for their livelihood.

"The proposed reform package is holistic and recognises, as it should, the links between groundwater and surface water as well as water quality. It doesn't divide these issues into separate compartments."

Prof Cullen said ensuring that the science driving the Water Reforms was robust and valid was a crucial step in seeking community endorsement of the package.

The community consultative process advanced a step further during Water Week last October when the Proposed Interim Environmental Objectives for NSW Waters was released for public comment.

In the New Year, community meetings, will provide an opportunity for the general community to tell the NSW Government what goals they would like to set for their local rivers and creeks.

Media Contact:
CRCFE Karen Markwort (02) 6201 5369 / 015 265 643
EPA Jacqueline Crompton (02) 9325 5827 / 0412 088437

Scientists give NSW Water Reform process thumbs-up...cont.

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