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In this section you will find detailed information, including national overviews and state and regional level assessments, from the 2000-2002 National Land and Water Resources Audit theme assessments.
Water - Preface
The Hon. Warren Truss MP
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Senator, the Hon. Robert Hill
Minister for Environment and Heritage
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Dear Ministers,
I have pleasure in presenting to you AustralianWater Resource Assessment 2000 - surface and groundwater availability and quality, a report of the National Land and Water Resources Audit (Audit). This report is Australia?s fourth national assessment of Australia?s water resources; it builds on but differs from previous water resource assessments. Unlike previous assessments, the report covers both water quantity and water quality. In partnership with the States and Territories, and the Australian State of the Environment Reporting Unit, it collates and provides information on trends in water quality and exceedance of water quality guidelines.
The report also reflects the changing information needs and requirements of decision makers. Building on a traditional assessment of water availability, in partnership with the States and Territories, the report details water use and, in analysing water availability and use, emphasises assessing and reporting on the sustainability of surface and groundwater management across Australia.
The report concludes with detailed data on each of Australia?s surface water management areas and groundwater management units. This is underpinned by a much-improved specification of water management areas for Australia with-for the first time-an agreed breakdown of Australia?s groundwater resources into management units.
The report also promotes an integrated approach to water resource assessment and reporting with information on water availability and quality being integrated with outputs from across the Audit (for example, the Assessment of River Condition and Catchment Condition Indices) to provide a comprehensive basis for natural resources management, supporting decisions at national, State and regional levels. This is achieved through rigorous project design across all Audit activities with findings then presented in an integrated fashion on the Audit?s internet-based Australian Natural Resources Atlas at the best available scales.
Investment from Commonwealth, State and Territory agencies to deliver this assessment has been substantial and has only been achieved through the excellent cooperation of all parties. Capitalising on this investment is critical, for both application of the findings presented in this report to inform natural resources management, and routinely continuing information collection and assessment activities. This can be best achieved through the National Sponsor and partnership arrangements proposed in the report.
The Audit Advisory Council commends this report to you, together with the supporting information in the Australian Natural Resources Atlas, providing key inputs to natural resource management initiatives including the continued development, implementation and evaluation of the Council of Australian Governments? National Water Reform Framework.
I am pleased to present this report to the Natural Heritage Ministerial Board.
Yours sincerely
Roy Green
Chair
National Land and Water Resources Audit Advisory Council
1 February 2001
Table of Contents for the Australian Water Resources Assessment 2000
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