Australia needs to make tough policy choices if we are to balance economic, environmental and social needs.
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Growth 52: Water and the Australian economy
Growth 52: Water and the Australian economy
Posted : Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Report highlights
Australia's existing water management strategies are not
sustainable. Businesses, farms and households in every Australian
city are paying too little for water.
CEDA's report concludes that user-pays pricing should
progressively be extended to all sectors of the economy, including
users in major cities, as the best way to promote water
conservation and ensure that the price of water reflects its
scarcity. This may require other measures by governments to address
the socio-economic hardships this may cause.
Urban water sustainability strategies should also include other
demand management strategies to use water more efficiently, and the
consideration of incentives and regulation to progressively improve
storm water management and water reuse systems.
The report also shows just how a multi-pronged strategy can
reverse the problems now growing in many Australian cities. In a
detailed case study included in the report, Emeritus Professor
Nancy Millis describes how water efficient practices introduced in
Melbourne have reduced average household consumption by one third
over the last 20 years.
Managing Australia's water resources needs
a new approach.
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