The Commission should also have regard to the differing responsibilities of the Basin states and the Australian Capital Territory, the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (DAWR), the CEWH and the MDBA. This Commission could duly acknowledge the relevant sections of the Response: Australian Constitution that define which responsibilities are Federal and which ones are State. International organizations may perhaps have no knowledge of our Constitution. The Commission should assess progress towards full implementation in the context of the differing timeframes applicable to each key component of the Basin Plan. This includes an assessment of the extent to which Commonwealth and state-led water recovery efforts and state water resource plans are on track for when SDLs take effect from 1 July 2019. The Commission should make findings on progress to date and recommendations on any actions required by the Commonwealth or Basin state or territory to ensure the timely implementation of Basin Plan requirements and the effective achievement of Basin Plan outcomes. Process In undertaking the inquiry, the Commission should consult widely including establishing a stakeholder working group in accordance with section 89 of the Water Act, inviting public submissions, holding public hearings, and releasing a draft report to the public. The Commission should consult with relevant Australian Government, Basin state and territory government agencies, key interest groups and affected parties. These consultations should include, but not be limited to, parties with interests in agriculture, industry and the environment, and Aboriginal groups. The Government has asked Basin jurisdictions to cooperate with this Inquiry, including by providing the Commission with the information it considers necessary in undertaking its Inquiry. While the health of the Murray Basis affects all Australians, I am not Response: aware of any community consultations although experts from international universities and – organizations may have been provided with an opportunity to comment. Acting on advice, I read a water-oriented submission from a major Australian university several years ago. There submission detailed several issues and suggested ways that their university might perhaps be able to assist in rectifying them and this work may perhaps have involved fees. In this vein, I am happy to assist the Commission to evaluate issues relating to Governance, Due Diligence, Cost / Benefits and Information Technology. NB: Water expert Cullen said publically shortly before his passing that at least one international water expert passed his desk each week. He also said publically that NSW did not keep water statics perhaps all States keep water statistics now. – The final report is to be provided to the Government by 31 December 2018.
The Commission should also have regard to the differing responsibilities of the Basin states and the Australian Capital Territory, the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (DAWR), the CEWH and the MDBA. Response: This Commission could duly acknowledge the relevant sections of the Australian Constitution that define which responsibilities are Federal and which ones are State. International organizations may perhaps have no knowledge of our Constitution. The Commission should assess progress towards full implementation in the context of the differing timeframes applicable to each key component of the Basin Plan. This includes an assessment of the extent to which Commonwealth and state-led water recovery efforts and state water resource plans are on track for when SDLs take effect from 1 July 2019. The Commission should make findings on progress to date and recommendations on any actions required by the Commonwealth or Basin state or territory to ensure the timely implementation of Basin Plan requirements and the effective achievement of Basin Plan outcomes. Process In undertaking the inquiry, the Commission should consult widely including establishing a stakeholder working group in accordance with section 89 of the Water Act, inviting public submissions, holding public hearings, and releasing a draft report to the public. The Commission should consult with relevant Australian Government, Basin state and territory government agencies, key interest groups and affected parties. These consultations should include, but not be limited to, parties with interests in agriculture, industry and the environment, and Aboriginal groups. The Government has asked Basin jurisdictions to cooperate with this Inquiry, including by providing the Commission with the information it considers necessary in undertaking its Inquiry. Response: While the health of the Murray Basis affects all Australians, I am not aware of any community consultations – although experts from international universities and organizations may have been provided with an opportunity to comment. Acting on advice, I read a water-oriented submission from a major Australian university several years ago. There submission detailed several issues and suggested ways that their university might perhaps be able to assist in rectifying them and this work may perhaps have involved fees. In this vein, I am happy to assist the Commission to evaluate issues relating to Governance, Due Diligence, Cost / Benefits and Information Technology. NB: Water expert Cullen said publically shortly before his passing that at least one international water expert passed his desk each week. He also said publically that NSW did not keep water statics – perhaps all States keep water statistics now. The final report is to be provided to the Government by 31 December 2018.
sub088-basin-plan.docx