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Victorian Water Law Review – open for public comment until 14 February 2014
04 February 2014
What does this change mean for the water industry, what information is available to assist you understand the Exposure Draft and how can you make a submission.
There are currently two Acts that govern the use and management of water in Victoria, the Water Act 1989 and Water Industry Act 1994. The Minister for Water appointed an expert panel in 2013 to review these Acts with the objective of amalgamating and streamlining the legislation into one single Water Act. This review resulted in the preparation of the Water Bill Exposure Draft that is now out for public review and comment.
The Exposure Draft reduces duplication between the two Acts and simplifies existing complex arrangements particularly around water resource management. The Exposure Draft also incorporates the government’s Living Victoria whole of water cycle management policy and strategy.
Key changes in the draft are in the areas of water resource management, implementing whole of water cycle management, ownership and access to water, water rights and compliance and enforcement.
Further information and industry expert summaries on the Exposure Draft
- Visit Department of Environment and Primary Industry’s (DEPI) website to obtain a copy of the Exposure Draft, make a submission or to find out more
- Download Council rights to stormwater: Investment pipeline or resource drain produced by Aither – includes key economic considerations to assist councils with making a submission on the Exposure Draft
- Download Changes to the stormwater regime for councils produced by Norton Rose Fulbright – provides a summary of the changes to stormwater rights and the implications to council
- View Water Law Reform in Victoria produced by Maddocks – provides an overview of the main elements of the proposed reforms contained in the exposure draft
