Western Australia joins Nation Water Initiative

Ken Matthews, Chairman of the National Water Commission, has welcomed the signing by Western Australia of the National Water Initiative (NWI).

"The Commission warmly welcomes Western Australia's agreement to sign up to the NWI, with the initiative now a truly national blueprint for better water management for all Australians," Matthews said.

"Amongst other things NWI includes commitments for more secure water entitlements, improved water planning and enhanced water trading that will build upon Western Australia's current water reforms.

The NWI represents the Australian Government's and state and territory governments' shared commitment to water reform recognising the continuing national imperative to increase the productivity and efficiency of Australia's water use, the need to service rural and urban communities, and ensure the health of river and groundwater systems by establishing clear pathways to return all systems to environmentally sustainable levels of extraction.

"The signing of the NWI by Western Australia is very important to achieving national water reform. By having a truly national approach we can start to work cooperatively on national measures needed to improve water management across the country." Matthews said.