The future of water reform in Australia — starting a conversation

After 2 decades of cooperative governmental reforms on water, Australia established a world-leading hybrid governance system involving top-down regulation, water markets and water planning with stakeholder cooperation. Yet, with the abolition of the National Water Commission (NWC) in 2015,1 there is a growing belief that Australia may have “dropped the ball on water”. At this critical juncture, it is both significant and timely to examine the challenges and future direction of Australia’s water reforms. In light of these concerns, in December 2015, the Faculty of Law and the Connected Waters Initiative Research Centre at UNSW Australia hosted a group of water law specialists to consider the key successes and limits of Australia’s hybrid water governance system, as well as to explore how best to steer water governance towards a more sustainable future path. At the conclusion of the workshop, it was apparent that although Australia has come a long way in water management under the NWI, the design and implementation of this national reform does not appear sufficient to meet future water challenges. Further reforms and changes will be required and this article sets out 10 priorities that should be considered and addressed by governments, civil society and industries if we are to achieve a sustainable water future for Australia