Feedback on DEWS 30- year Strategy Discussion Paper - "Shaping our water future"

Page created by Rafael Harris
 
CONTINUE READING
 
	
  
       Feedback	
  on	
  DEWS	
  30-­‐year	
  
       Strategy	
  Discussion	
  Paper	
  –	
  
       “Shaping	
  our	
  water	
  future”	
  
	
  
	
         	
  
Table	
  of	
  Contents	
  
	
  
1	
                      Introduction	
   	
                                                        	
                       	
                       	
                       	
                       	
                       	
     	
     	
     	
     3	
  
	
  
2	
  	
                  General	
  Feedback	
                                                      	
                       	
                       	
                       	
                       	
                       	
     	
     	
     	
     4	
  
                         2.1	
  	
                Challenges	
                                      	
                       	
                       	
                       	
                       	
                       	
     	
     	
     	
     4	
  
                         2.1.1	
  	
   Streamlined,	
  Integrated	
  catchment	
  management	
   	
                                                                                                                                     	
     	
     	
     4	
  
                         2.1.2	
  	
   Value	
  water	
   	
                                                                 	
                       	
                       	
                       	
                       	
     	
     	
     	
     4	
  
                         2.1.3	
  	
   Wastewater	
  &	
  use	
  of	
  recycled	
  water	
  	
                                                                                                          	
                       	
     	
     	
     	
     4	
  
                         	
  
3	
                      Part	
  2:	
  Feedback	
  on	
  the	
  discussion	
  paper	
  questions	
                                                                                                                               	
     	
     	
     	
     4	
  
	
                       3.1	
                    Regulation	
                                      	
                       	
                       	
                       	
                       	
                       	
     	
     	
     	
     4	
  
                         3.2	
  	
                Water	
  business	
  sustainability	
  	
                                                                                    	
                       	
                       	
     	
     	
     	
     5	
  
                         3.3	
  	
                Innovation	
  	
                                  	
                       	
                       	
                       	
                       	
                       	
     	
     	
     	
     6	
  
                         3.4	
  	
                Integrated	
  planning	
  	
   	
                                                                   	
                       	
                       	
                       	
     	
     	
     	
     7	
  
                         3.5	
  	
                Empowering	
  customers	
                                                                           	
                       	
                       	
                       	
     	
     	
     	
     8	
  
                         3.6	
  	
                Pricing	
   	
                                    	
                       	
                       	
                       	
                       	
                       	
     	
     	
     	
     9	
  
                         3.7	
  	
                Further	
  ideas	
   	
                                                    	
                       	
                       	
                       	
                       	
     	
     	
     	
     9	
  
                         	
  
	
                                                                                                  	
  

28/03/13	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  Griffith	
  University	
  Submission	
                                   2	
  
1	
  Introduction	
  
	
  
Griffith	
   University	
   welcomes	
   the	
   opportunity	
   to	
   contribute	
   to	
   the	
   Department	
   of	
   Energy	
   &	
   Water	
  
Supply’s	
  recently	
  released	
  discussion	
  paper	
  entitled	
  “Shaping	
  our	
  water	
  future”.	
  	
  
	
  
Griffith	
  University	
  is	
  internationally	
  recognized	
  for	
  its	
  research	
  and	
  teaching	
  in	
  freshwater,	
  estuarine	
  
and	
   urban	
   water	
   At	
   Griffith,	
   Water	
   Science	
   research	
   and	
   expertise	
   are	
   embedded	
   in	
   several	
  
departments,	
   reflecting	
   the	
   multi-­‐disciplinary	
   nature	
   of	
   water	
   research,	
   in	
   particular	
   in	
   the	
   	
   	
   Smart	
  
Water	
   Research	
   Centre,	
   the	
   Griffith	
   Centre	
   for	
   Coastal	
   Management,	
   and	
   the	
   Australian	
   Rivers	
  
Institute.	
   Griffith	
   University’s	
   feedback	
   on	
   the	
   discussion	
   paper	
   and	
   specific	
   questions	
   reflects	
   this	
  
breadth	
  of	
  expertise.	
  
	
                                                                                                  	
  

28/03/13	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  Griffith	
  University	
  Submission	
     3	
  
2	
  	
                  General	
  Feedback	
  
2.1	
  	
                Challenges	
  
The	
   challenges	
   posed	
   to	
   the	
   security	
   and	
   reliability	
   of	
   Queensland’s	
   water	
   supply	
   over	
   the	
   next	
   30	
  
years	
  by	
  continuing	
  rapid	
  population	
  growth	
  and	
  industrial	
  expansion	
  are	
  correctly	
  highlighted	
  in	
  the	
  
discussion	
  paper.	
  ,.	
  However,	
  climate	
  change	
  and	
  climate	
  variability	
  are	
  also	
  key	
  factors	
  that	
  will	
  exert	
  
considerable	
  influence	
  over	
  water	
  security	
  and	
  reliability	
  and	
  should	
  also	
  be	
  considered	
  in	
  any	
  long	
  
term	
  planning.	
  
2.1.1	
  	
   Streamlined,	
  Integrated	
  catchment	
  management	
  
We	
  believe	
  that	
  if	
  Queensland	
  is	
  to	
  achieve	
  water	
  security,	
  reliability	
  and	
  affordability	
  it	
  is	
  essential	
  
that	
   management	
   of	
   catchments	
   and	
   associated	
   reservoirs	
   be	
   coordinated	
   and	
   match	
   to	
   the	
  
topographic	
  boundaries.	
  
2.1.2	
  	
   Value	
  water	
  
Water	
   should	
   be	
   valued	
   not	
   only	
   for	
   the	
   benefits	
   which	
   it	
   delivers	
   in	
   household,	
   agricultural	
   &	
  
industrial	
   uses,	
   but	
   also	
   for	
   the	
   considerable	
   social	
   benefits	
   derived	
   from	
   catchment-­‐related	
  
ecosystem	
  services	
  such	
  as	
  flood	
  regulation	
  and	
  water-­‐based	
  recreation.	
  	
  
2.1.3	
  	
   Wastewater	
  &	
  use	
  of	
  recycled	
  water	
  
We	
   note	
   that	
   water	
   recovery	
   after	
   waste	
   treatment	
   has	
   not	
   been	
   considered	
   and	
   that	
   recycled	
   water	
  
is	
  only	
  designated	
  for	
  industrial	
  use.	
  	
  Recycled	
  water	
  should	
  be	
  considered	
  as	
  an	
  option	
  for	
  all	
  uses	
  of	
  
water	
  and	
  particularly	
  where	
  new	
  water	
  sources	
  are	
  required.	
  	
  Recycled	
  water	
  should	
  be	
  assessed	
  on	
  
equal	
   merits	
   as	
   other	
   sources	
   of	
   water	
   based	
   on	
   sustainability,	
   economic,	
   social/cultural	
   values.	
  	
  
Water	
  recycling	
  projects	
  throughout	
  Australia	
  have	
  often	
  failed,	
  not	
  because	
  of	
  technical,	
  economic	
  
or	
   environmental	
   impacts	
   but	
   because	
   of	
   the	
   social	
   acceptability	
   of	
   using	
   water	
   that	
   has	
   been	
  
identified	
  as	
  passing	
  through	
  a	
  sewage	
  treatment	
  plant.	
  	
  The	
  recovery	
  of,	
  not	
  just	
  the	
  water	
  but,	
  other	
  
resources,	
   such	
   as	
   phosphorus	
   should	
   be	
   considered	
   for	
   new	
   and	
   existing	
   sewage	
   treatment	
  
processes.	
  Many	
  other	
  beneficial	
  uses	
  of	
  recycled	
  water	
  are	
  possible,	
  such	
  as	
  irrigation	
  and	
  potable	
  
reuse.	
   The	
   Queensland	
   government	
   has	
   invested	
   massively	
   in	
   infrastructure	
   (e.g.,	
   the	
   Western	
  
Corridor	
  Scheme)	
  and	
  research	
  (e.g.,	
  Urban	
  Water	
  Security	
  Research	
  Alliance)	
  to	
  develop	
  a	
  supply	
  of	
  
water	
  that	
  relies	
  on	
  multiple	
  sources	
  to	
  ensure	
  a	
  safe,	
  sustainable	
  and	
  reliable	
  supply	
  of	
  water	
  for	
  the	
  
future	
  of	
  all	
  Queenslanders.	
  This	
  investment	
  should	
  not	
  be	
  wasted.	
  
Whilst	
   it	
   is	
   raining	
   it	
   is	
   an	
   opportune	
   moment	
   to	
   proactively	
   inform	
   the	
   community	
   about	
   the	
   pros	
  
and	
   cons	
   of	
   water	
   recycling.	
   	
   The	
   Australian	
   Water	
   Recycling	
   Centre	
   of	
   Excellence	
   is	
   based	
   in	
  
Queensland,	
   it	
   would	
   be	
   prudent	
   for	
   the	
   State	
   Government	
   to	
   engage	
   and	
   take	
   advantages	
   of	
   the	
  
outputs	
  from	
  this	
  centre	
  in	
  promoting	
  the	
  use	
  of	
  recycled	
  water.	
  
	
  
3	
                      Part	
  2:	
  Feedback	
  on	
  the	
  discussion	
  paper	
  questions	
  
3.1	
                    Regulation	
  
What	
  needs	
  to	
  be	
  done	
  to	
  create	
  a	
  light-­‐handed	
  regulatory	
  model?	
  
How	
   can	
   we	
   maintain	
   the	
   integrity	
   of	
   the	
   regulatory	
   framework	
   (e.g.	
   drinking	
   water	
   quality,	
  
environmental	
  protection,	
  public	
  health)	
  while	
  reducing	
  the	
  regulatory	
  burden?	
  
What	
  needs	
  to	
  be	
  regulated?	
  
28/03/13	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  Griffith	
  University	
  Submission	
     4	
  
What	
  can	
  move	
  towards	
  self-­‐regulation?	
  
A	
  number	
  of	
  government	
  departments	
  regulate	
  or	
  have	
  an	
  interest	
  in	
  water	
  and	
  sewerage	
  services.	
  In	
  
what	
  ways	
  could	
  this	
  be	
  better	
  streamlined?	
  	
  
There	
   are	
   currently	
   7-­‐8	
   government	
   departments	
   with	
   regulatory	
   responsibilities	
   for	
   water.	
   	
   This	
  
renders	
   the	
   regulatory	
   processes	
   onerous,	
   and	
   can	
   lead	
   to	
   duplication	
   and	
   inefficiency.	
   Current	
  
regulation	
  is	
  fragmented	
  and	
  serves	
  the	
  department	
  rather	
  than	
  the	
  sector.	
  	
  
Self-­‐regulation	
  of	
  water	
  services	
  is	
  not	
  recommended.	
  	
  
Regulation	
  of	
  water	
  and	
  water	
  service	
  providers	
  is	
  required	
  to	
  ensure	
  the	
  maintenance	
  of	
  public	
  and	
  
environmental	
   health.	
   There	
   is	
   a	
   significant	
   risk	
   that	
   self-­‐regulation	
   would	
   lead	
   to	
   dangerous	
   trade-­‐
offs	
   between	
   safe	
   and	
   sustainable	
   water	
   provision	
   and	
   capital	
   benefits	
   to	
   the	
   shareholders	
   of	
   the	
  
water	
  utilities.	
  	
  
Suggested	
  solutions	
  for	
  consideration:	
  
There	
   is	
   a	
   pressing	
   need	
   for	
   catchment	
   scale	
   integrated	
   regulation	
   that	
   matches	
   the	
   topographic	
  
boundaries	
  of	
  the	
  catchments	
  and	
  addresses	
  all	
  stages	
  of	
  the	
  water	
  cycle	
  coherently	
  and	
  consistently.	
  
The	
  objectives	
  of	
  catchment	
  scale,	
  water	
  cycle	
  focussed	
  regulation	
  would	
  be	
  to	
  secure	
  cost	
  effective	
  
quality	
   and	
   quantity	
   of	
   water	
   provision	
   and	
   encourage	
   appropriate	
   and	
   efficient	
   allocation	
   of	
   a	
  
spectrum	
   of	
   different	
   water	
   products	
   (e.g.	
   raw	
   water,	
   processed	
   potable	
   water,	
   recycled	
   water	
   ….)	
  
among	
  a	
  range	
  of	
  different	
  uses	
  (household,	
  agriculture,	
  mineral	
  extraction,	
  food	
  processing	
  ….)..	
  
Studies	
   have	
   shown	
   that	
   raw	
   water	
   quality	
   in	
   southeast	
   Queensland	
   is	
   deteriorating	
   so	
   a	
   ‘business	
   as	
  
usual’	
  approach	
  for	
  this	
  region	
  will	
  not	
  provide	
  a	
  reliable	
  and	
  high	
  quality	
  water	
  supply	
  in	
  the	
  future.	
  
There	
   are	
   two	
   main	
   options	
   for	
   dealing	
   with	
   this	
   issue	
   i)	
   upgrade	
   the	
   treatment	
   plants	
   and	
   supply	
  
infrastructure	
   or	
   ii)	
   improve	
   the	
   condition	
   of	
   the	
   catchments.	
   A	
   whole-­‐of-­‐catchment	
   approach	
   is	
  
needed	
   to	
   trade	
   off	
   future	
   upgrades	
   of	
   assets	
   with	
   mitigation	
   of	
   water	
   quality	
   within	
   catchments.	
  	
  
There	
  is	
  much	
  to	
  learn	
  from	
  the	
  legislation	
  of	
  the	
  Sydney	
  Catchment	
  Authority	
  which	
  says	
  that	
  any	
  
development	
   that	
   potentially	
   impacts	
   land	
   catchment	
   management	
   must	
   have	
   a	
   beneficial	
   or	
   neutral	
  
effect	
  on	
  water	
  quality.	
  A	
  similar	
  approach	
  in	
  Queensland,	
  adapted	
  for	
  local	
  conditions,	
  would	
  be	
  a	
  
major	
   step	
   forward	
   towards	
   improving	
   water	
   quality.	
   We	
   suggest	
   a	
   risk-­‐based	
   approach	
   to	
   regulation	
  
rather	
  than	
  a	
  performance-­‐based	
  criteria	
  approach	
  
Water	
  planning	
  would	
  also	
  benefit	
  from	
  more	
  involvement	
  of	
  a	
  quasi-­‐independent	
  body	
  such	
  as	
  Qld	
  
Water	
  Directorate	
  /	
  SEQ	
  catchments.	
  	
  
3.2	
  	
                Water	
  business	
  sustainability	
  	
  
How	
   do	
   we	
   facilitate	
   the	
   sustainability	
   of	
   service	
   providers,	
   particularly	
   those	
   who	
   already	
   have	
  
difficulties	
   with	
   revenue,	
   resources	
   and/or	
   skills	
   to	
   maintain	
   and	
   deliver	
   water	
   supply	
   and	
   sewerage	
  
services?	
  
Currently	
   Queensland	
   has	
   a	
   large	
   number	
   of	
   water	
   providers	
   a	
   number	
   of	
   which	
   are	
   inadequately	
  
staffed	
   and	
   have	
   with	
   limited	
   resources,	
   and	
   in	
   some	
   cases,	
   limited	
   skills	
   and	
   expertise.	
   Equally	
   it	
   is	
   a	
  
difficult	
   balance	
   to	
   maintain	
   performance	
   criteria	
   for	
   regulators	
   and	
   to	
   retain	
   skilled	
   workers	
   for	
  
small,	
  and/or	
  regional	
  service	
  providers.	
  	
  
Small	
   water	
   providers	
   are	
   at	
   a	
   major	
   disadvantage	
   in	
   today’s	
   water	
   sector.	
   The	
   provision	
   of	
   safe,	
  
sustainable	
  and	
  good	
  quality	
  water	
  requires	
  significant	
  technical	
  expertise	
  and	
  finances.	
  Additionally,	
  
issues	
   faced	
   by	
   small	
   water	
   suppliers	
   across	
   different	
   localities	
   are	
   very	
   similar,	
   and	
   there	
   is	
   a	
  

28/03/13	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  Griffith	
  University	
  Submission	
     5	
  
significant	
   opportunity	
   for	
   streamlining	
   the	
   current	
   model	
   by	
   pooling	
   the	
   multitude	
   of	
   small	
   water	
  
suppliers	
   into	
   a	
   larger	
   entity	
   with	
   a	
   global	
   vision	
   and	
   a	
   pooled	
   funding,	
   knowledge	
   and	
   technical	
  
expertise,	
   as	
   has	
   been	
   done	
   in	
   the	
   past	
   10-­‐20	
   years	
   in	
   NSW	
   and	
   Vic.	
   This	
   pooling	
   would	
   result	
   in	
  
greatly	
  improved	
  efficiency	
  and	
  significant	
  savings,	
  which	
  can	
  then	
  be	
  passed	
  on	
  to	
  the	
  consumer.	
  
Potential	
  solutions	
  for	
  consideration	
  could	
  be:	
  	
  
Larger	
  water	
  authorities	
  can	
  play	
  a	
  coordinator	
  role	
  providing	
  expertise	
  and	
  knowledge	
  to	
  the	
  smaller	
  
providers.	
  Fora	
  could	
  be	
  organised	
  for	
  information	
  exchanges	
  and	
  indeed	
  some	
  services	
  this	
  is	
  already	
  
in	
   place	
   (need	
   example).	
   NSW	
   and	
   Victoria	
   have	
   successfully	
   implemented	
   such	
   a	
   model	
   and	
   have	
  
amalgamated	
  the	
  smaller	
  water	
  providers	
  providing	
  the	
  small	
  providers	
  with	
  the	
  knowledge,	
  training	
  
and	
   resources.	
   If	
   there	
   was	
   a	
   central	
   body	
   responsible	
   for	
   all	
   aspects	
   of	
   water	
   management	
   and	
  
supply,	
   it	
   could	
   provide	
   a	
   link	
   to	
   these	
   resources.	
   QldWater	
   (the	
   Directorate)	
   is	
   close	
   to	
   this	
   but	
   is	
  
currently	
   under	
   resourced	
   therefore	
   is	
   forced	
   to	
   be	
   selective	
   in	
   membership	
   and	
   services	
   they	
   can	
  
offer.	
  	
  	
  
3.3	
  	
                Innovation	
  	
  
How	
  do	
  we	
  encourage	
  and	
  reward	
  innovation?	
  	
  
The	
   development	
   of	
   a	
   resilient	
   and	
   growing	
   water	
   sector	
   is	
   critical	
   to	
   creating	
   and	
   maintaining	
  
resilient	
   and	
   reliable	
   water	
   sources	
   and	
   water	
   allocation	
   in	
   the	
   near	
   and	
   foreseeable	
   future.	
   is	
   The	
  	
  
Water	
   Industry	
   Skills	
   Taskforce	
   concluded	
   at	
   the	
   2012	
   Skills	
   Forum	
   that	
   there	
   is	
   no	
   skills	
   shortage	
  
despite	
  the	
  aging	
  demographic	
  within	
  the	
  industry	
  and	
  a	
  looming	
  depletion	
  of	
  water	
  managers	
  and	
  
skilled	
                 operators	
                       within	
                      the	
                     next	
             5-­‐15	
               years	
  
(http://www.awa.asn.au/uploadedfiles/Water_Industry_Skills_Forum_Report.pdf).	
   This	
   has	
   serious	
  
implications	
   for	
   the	
   industry	
   as	
   it	
   impacts	
   on	
   funding	
   allocation	
   for	
   skills	
   development.	
   Without	
  
ongoing	
  support	
  for	
  the	
  water	
  sector	
  skill-­‐base	
  the	
  water	
  science	
  capabilities,	
  knowledge	
  etc.	
  will	
  be	
  
lost.	
  Additionally,	
  in	
  the	
  future	
  Queensland	
  can	
  position	
  itself	
  as	
  an	
  innovator	
  in	
  the	
  water	
  industry	
  
but	
   this	
   requires	
   talented,	
   well-­‐trained	
   staff	
   at	
   all	
   stages	
   of	
   their	
   career	
   (including	
   vocational,	
   para-­‐
professionals,	
  degree	
  and	
  higher	
  degree	
  trained	
  professionals)	
  
Potential	
  solutions	
  for	
  consideration	
  are:	
  	
  
Streamlined	
   integration	
   between	
   water	
   authorities	
   would	
   facilitate	
   training	
   and	
   professional	
  
development	
  of	
  the	
  work	
  force.	
  Further,	
  if	
  peak	
  water	
  bodies	
  were	
  better	
  resourced	
  they	
  could	
  also	
  
play	
  a	
  role	
  in	
  professional	
  development.	
  
Other	
   sources	
   of	
   knowledge	
   and	
   skills	
   development	
   can	
   be	
   accessed	
   from	
   the	
   knowledge	
   base	
   within	
  
universities,	
  research	
  institutes,	
  and	
  science	
  centres.	
  These	
  institutions	
  know	
  that	
  innovative	
  research	
  
underpins	
   the	
   ongoing	
   recognition	
   of	
   professional,	
   resilient	
   and	
   well-­‐respected	
   water	
   science	
  
professionals.	
  
The	
   current	
   lack	
   of	
   encouragement	
   to	
   innovate	
   and	
   lack	
   of	
   recognition	
   that	
   innovation	
   leads	
   to	
  
positive	
  change	
  stifles	
  innovation	
  in	
  the	
  water	
  sector.	
  
A	
  major	
  issue	
  is	
  that	
  the	
  water	
  sector	
  does	
  not	
  currently	
  value	
  natural	
  capital	
  assets	
  in	
  catchments	
  
and	
   the	
   emphasis	
   is	
   placed	
   instead	
   on	
   built	
   infrastructure.	
   Quantification	
   of	
   the	
   social	
   value	
  
ecosystem	
   services	
   provided	
   by	
   natural	
   capital	
   assets	
   in	
   catchments	
   would	
   assist	
   in	
   this	
   regard.	
  
Further,	
  innovative	
  water	
  research	
  needs	
  to	
  be	
  more	
  strongly	
  valued	
  and	
  supported	
  by	
  for	
  example,	
  
Future	
  Funds.	
  

28/03/13	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  Griffith	
  University	
  Submission	
     6	
  
Potential	
  solutions	
  are	
  as	
  follows:	
  	
  
            •            It	
   is	
   critical	
   for	
   the	
   water	
   industry	
   to	
   collaborate	
   with	
   researchers	
   to	
   develop	
   innovative	
  
                         solutions	
  to	
  challenging	
  problems	
  in	
  the	
  future	
  throughout	
  the	
  entire	
  water	
  supply	
  chain.	
  
            •            Payment	
   (or	
   recognition	
   for)	
   for	
   ecosystem	
   services	
   should	
   be	
   encouraged,	
   based	
   on	
   accurate	
  
                         estimates	
   of	
   the	
   net	
   social	
   value	
   which	
   these	
   ecosystem	
   services	
   deliver	
   e.g.	
   For	
   example,	
  
                         paying	
   farmers	
   to	
   change	
   their	
   land	
   management	
   practises	
   in	
   catchments	
   headwaters	
   could	
  
                         be	
  a	
  considerably	
  more	
  efficient	
  way	
  of	
  reducing	
  nutrient	
  and	
  sediment	
  loads	
  which	
  enter	
  	
  the	
  
                         potable	
  water	
  supply	
  system	
  than	
  retro-­‐fitting	
  or	
  up-­‐grading	
  the	
  nutrient	
  removal	
  capabilities	
  
                         of	
  existing	
  sewage	
  treatment	
  plants	
  further	
  down	
  the	
  catchment	
  .	
  	
  
            •            Innovation	
   in	
   both	
   agriculture	
   and	
   industry	
   could	
   continue	
   to	
   reduce	
   water	
   use	
   and	
   their	
  
                         environmental	
  impact.	
  
            •            Innovation	
  needs	
  to	
  be	
  centred	
  around	
  the	
  concept	
  of	
  Water	
  Sensitive	
  Cities	
  –	
  where	
  water	
  
                         and	
  wastewater	
  are	
  considered	
  in	
  tandem	
  
            •            Need	
  to	
  support	
  institutions	
  that	
  encourage,	
  foster	
  and	
  implement	
  innovative	
  development	
  
            •            Encouragement	
  and	
  reward	
  for	
  innovation	
  and	
  R	
  &	
  D	
  may	
  include:	
  	
  
            •            Reduce	
  costs	
  and	
  resources	
  to	
  supply	
  suitable	
  quality	
  /	
  fit	
  for	
  purpose	
  water	
  
            •            Improve	
   water	
   security,	
   consumer	
   will	
   use	
   more	
   water	
   and	
   service	
   provider	
   will	
   increase	
  
                         revenue	
  
            •            Enhanced	
  consumer	
  choice,	
  cost	
  reductions.	
  
            •            Wastewater	
   generation	
   increases	
   if	
   water	
   consumption	
   increases…need	
   to	
   consider	
  
                         this…alternative	
  water	
  recycling	
  options	
  /	
  uses.	
  
            •            (Cash)	
  Innovation	
  Awards	
  and	
  peer	
  recognition	
  
3.4	
  	
                Integrated	
  planning	
  	
  
Do	
  our	
  future	
  needs	
  work	
  together	
  or	
  do	
  they	
  conflict?	
  
How	
  do	
  we	
  encourage	
  integrated	
  catchment-­‐based	
  services	
  and	
  better	
  long-­‐term	
  planning?	
  
By	
  far	
  the	
  biggest	
  user	
  of	
  water	
  is	
  agriculture.	
  Urban	
  water	
  users	
  have	
  already	
  greatly	
  contributed	
  to	
  
reducing	
  their	
  water	
  usage	
  in	
  Queensland,	
  and	
  the	
  focus	
  now	
  needs	
  to	
  shift	
  to	
  agricultural	
  water	
  use.	
  
In	
  particular,	
  new	
  practices	
  and	
  crops	
  that	
  require	
  less	
  watering	
  should	
  be	
  encouraged	
  and	
  supported	
  
via	
  investment	
  and	
  public	
  awards.	
  	
  
Deteriorating	
   water	
   quality	
   and	
   increasing	
   water	
   scarcity	
   render	
   the	
   current	
   and	
   future	
   challenges	
  
more	
   intense.	
   There	
   are	
   53	
   water	
   basins	
   in	
   Queensland	
   making	
   the	
   sector	
   highly	
   complex.	
   A	
   more	
  
integrated	
  approach	
  is	
  needed.	
  Additionally,	
  there	
  would	
  be	
  benefit	
  integrating	
  planning	
  across	
  the	
  
whole	
   water	
   cycle.	
   This	
   also	
   means	
   that	
   the	
   water-­‐energy-­‐food	
   nexus	
   needs	
   to	
   be	
   integrated	
   into	
  
future	
  supply,	
  public	
  health	
  and	
  environmental	
  health	
  management	
  strategies.	
  This	
  includes	
  irrigation	
  
which	
  has	
  not	
  been	
  considered	
  to	
  be	
  part	
  of	
  the	
  water	
  sector	
  in	
  the	
  Discussion	
  document	
  –	
  it	
  even	
  
has	
   a	
   separate	
   peak	
   body	
   “Australian	
   Irrigators”.	
   Additionally,	
   climate	
   change	
   and	
   the	
   reality	
   of	
   an	
  
underlying	
  decline	
  in	
  water	
  quality	
  and	
  ecosystem	
  health	
  also	
  need	
  to	
  be	
  addressed	
  in	
  tandem	
  with	
  
future	
  supply	
  and	
  demand	
  forecasting.	
  
We	
   propose	
   a	
   model	
   where	
   there	
   is	
   a	
   catchment	
   authority	
   which	
   has	
   multiple	
   stakeholders,	
   and	
   is	
  
properly	
  resourced.	
  It	
  needs	
  to	
  have	
  a	
  Chief	
  Scientific	
  Officer	
  and	
  is	
  responsible	
  for	
  selecting	
  science	
  
providers.	
  Key	
  roles	
  could	
  be:	
  
            •            Controls	
  funding	
  allocation	
  to	
  implementers	
  

28/03/13	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  Griffith	
  University	
  Submission	
     7	
  
•            Provides	
  regulation	
  oversight	
  
            •            Provides	
  central	
  planning	
  targets	
  
            •            Has	
  influence	
  on	
  water	
  supply	
  bodies	
  
DSITIA	
  may	
  play	
  a	
  role	
  in	
  monitoring	
  and	
  evaluating	
  performance	
  
There	
  is	
  currently	
  a	
  tension	
  between	
  water	
  security	
  and	
  public	
  accountability.	
  	
  
            •            ‘fit-­‐for-­‐purpose’	
  is	
  missing	
  in	
  water	
  quality	
  regulations	
  –	
  how	
  do	
  you	
  manage	
  service	
  providers	
  
                         and	
  regulate	
  and	
  manage	
  environment	
  
            •            Climate	
   change	
   also	
   needs	
   to	
   be	
   addressed	
   in	
   tandem	
   with	
   future	
   supply	
   and	
   demand	
  
                         forecasting	
  
            •            Too	
  many	
  water	
  providers,	
  too	
  many	
  regulators.	
  (e.g.	
  Qld	
  Health	
  v	
  EPA	
  v	
  DEWS)	
  
            •            Additionally,	
   as	
   there	
   are	
   many	
   common	
   problems	
   across	
   catchments,	
   greater	
   information	
  
                         sharing	
   across	
   catchments	
   is	
   needed.	
   The	
   integration	
   of	
   sections	
   of	
   multiple	
   departments	
  
                         responsible	
   for	
   water	
   is	
   one	
   way	
   of	
   achieving	
   this.	
   Additionally,	
   a	
   Regulators	
   and	
   water	
  
                         managers	
  Forum	
  could	
  provide	
  the	
  opportunity	
  for	
  issues	
  to	
  be	
  tabled,	
  liaison	
  officers	
  could	
  
                         participate	
  and	
  this	
  would	
  provide	
  open	
  communication.	
  
	
  
3.5	
  	
                Empowering	
  customers	
  
How	
  can	
  service	
  providers	
  improve	
  their	
  engagement	
  with	
  their	
  consumers?	
  
Greater	
  communication	
  between	
  the	
  public	
  and	
  the	
  water	
  industry	
  is	
  needed	
  because	
  the	
  public	
  does	
  
not	
  understand	
  the	
  cost	
  of	
  water,	
  they	
  are	
  nervous	
  about	
  recycled	
  water	
  and	
  they	
  do	
  not	
  understand	
  
the	
  impediments	
  to	
  providing	
  water	
  security.	
  	
  	
  
Potential	
  solutions	
  to	
  engagement	
  with	
  consumers	
  are:	
  	
  
            •            To	
   Educate	
   consumers	
   by	
   providing	
   more	
   candid	
   coverage	
   of	
   the	
   problems,	
   issues	
   and	
  
                         challenges	
   faced	
   by	
   the	
   water	
   supply	
   industry.	
   .	
   This	
   involves	
   open	
   communication	
   to	
  
                         encourage	
  and	
  educate	
  the	
  public	
  and	
  stimulate	
  their	
  involvement	
  in	
  the	
  discussion.	
  There	
  is	
  a	
  
                         need	
  to	
  build	
  trust	
  between	
  providers	
  and	
  customers,	
  particularly	
  since	
  the	
  floods	
  in	
  the	
  last	
  2	
  
                         years.	
   If	
   the	
   customer	
   trusts	
   the	
   Water	
   Authority	
   then	
   they	
   are	
   more	
   likely	
   to	
   accept	
   that	
  
                         recycled	
  water	
  is	
  safe,	
  for	
  example.	
  This	
  information	
  should	
  be	
  provided	
  so	
  that	
  it	
  is	
  	
  “simple	
  
                         enough	
  to	
  understand	
  but	
  technical	
  enough	
  to	
  be	
  trusted”	
  	
  
            •            Programs	
   within	
   school,	
   government,	
   universities	
   exist	
   to	
   inform	
   people	
   on	
   where	
   water	
  
                         comes	
  from,	
  agricultural	
  uses.	
  	
  
            •            Community	
  surveys	
  /	
  interviews	
  are	
  needed	
  to	
  capture	
  baseline	
  attitudes	
  to	
  service	
  providers.	
  	
  
                         Need	
  to	
  measure	
  –	
  what	
  is	
  the	
  baseline?	
  	
  
            •            Use	
   successful	
   &	
   relevant	
   national	
   and	
   international	
   models	
   that	
   have	
   worked	
   (need	
  
                         examples)	
  	
  
            •            Give	
   consumers	
   CHOICE	
   –	
   restructure	
   tariffs	
   to	
   offer	
   payment	
   choices	
   for	
   water.	
   Provide	
  
                         consumers	
   choice	
   of	
   type	
   of	
   water	
   (recycled	
   /	
   potable	
   /	
   rainwater)	
   and	
   type	
   of	
   payment	
  
                         scheme.	
  	
  
            •            Water	
   should	
   be	
   ‘fit	
   for	
   purpose’	
   since	
   not	
   all	
   water	
   has	
   to	
   be	
   of	
   same	
   high	
   quality.	
   This	
  
                         approach	
   will	
   free	
   up	
   time	
   and	
   resources	
   as	
   well	
   as	
   encouraging	
   appropriate	
   and	
   efficient	
  
                         allocation	
  of	
  a	
  spectrum	
  of	
  different	
  water	
  products	
  between	
  different	
  end	
  uses.	
  	
  

28/03/13	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  Griffith	
  University	
  Submission	
     8	
  
•            There	
   is	
   an	
   opportunity	
   to	
   educate	
   the	
   next	
   generation	
   by	
   building	
   an	
   understanding	
   of	
   the	
  
                         water	
  cycle	
  into	
  the	
  national	
  curriculum.	
  There	
  is	
  currently	
  nothing	
  about	
  water	
  in	
  the	
  national	
  
                         science	
  curriculum.	
  	
  
            •            By	
  educating	
  the	
  next	
  generation,	
  there	
  is	
  also	
  an	
  opportunity	
  to	
  improve	
  the	
  knowledge	
  and	
  
                         skills	
  base	
  required	
  for	
  a	
  resilient	
  water	
  workforce	
  (Q7).	
  
            •            Use	
  current	
  technology	
  to	
  educate	
  and	
  engage	
  consumers.	
  
            •            Develop	
  an	
  APP	
  to	
  show	
  the	
  cost	
  to	
  treat	
  water	
  to	
  a	
  certain	
  quality	
  at	
  a	
  defined	
  point	
  in	
  time	
  
                         (link	
  to	
  Q12).	
  	
  
            •            Smart	
  metering	
  can	
  inform	
  people	
  which	
  machines	
  use	
  the	
  most	
  water.	
  
3.6	
  	
                Pricing	
  
In	
   what	
   way	
   can	
   water	
   and	
   sewerage	
   access	
   charges	
   be	
   structured	
   to	
   be	
   more	
   'cost	
   reflective'	
   and	
  
encourage	
  behaviour	
  change	
  in	
  consumers	
  and	
  improved	
  decision	
  making	
  of	
  service	
  providers?	
  
The	
  issue	
  with	
  pricing	
  is	
  that	
  water	
  is	
  an	
  undervalued	
  resource	
  and	
  the	
  water	
  price	
  is	
  determined	
  by	
  
the	
   cost	
   of	
   the	
   infrastructure.	
   Consumers	
   currently	
   pay	
   too	
   little	
   for	
   water	
   and	
   the	
   money	
   we	
   do	
   pay	
  
is	
  typically	
  for	
  the	
  infrastructure	
  that	
  delivers	
  it	
  to	
  the	
  tap.	
  	
  
The	
   challenges	
   facing	
   service	
   providers	
   are	
   the	
   need	
   to	
   communicate	
   the	
   real	
   cost	
   of	
   water	
   and	
   to	
  
educate	
  consumers	
  people	
  as	
  to	
  how	
  much	
  water	
  is	
  used	
  to	
  produce	
  food,	
  industrial	
  output	
  etc.	
  In	
  
doing	
  so	
  this	
  would	
  help	
  people	
  make	
  informed	
  decisions	
  and	
  drive	
  innovation	
  and	
  change	
  (links	
  to	
  
Q11).	
  A	
  good	
  example	
  of	
  this	
  was	
  the	
  response	
  of	
  consumers	
  to	
  the	
  drought	
  in	
  the	
  2000s	
  when	
  they	
  
were	
  encouraged	
  to	
  reduce	
  their	
  water	
  consumption	
  substantially.	
  	
  
Water	
   service	
   providers	
   need	
   to	
   explain	
   their	
   pricing	
   structure.	
   Currently,	
   water	
   providers	
   charge	
   a	
  
“fixed	
   service	
   charge”	
   +	
   a	
   small	
   additional	
   charge	
   for	
   actual	
   water	
   use.	
   The	
   fixed	
   charge	
   provides	
   a	
  
guaranteed	
   income	
   stream	
   for	
   providers	
   and	
   goes	
   some	
   way	
   towards	
   covering	
   the	
   cost	
   of	
   built	
  
infrastructure.	
  This	
  pricing	
  model	
  only	
  serves	
  to	
  reinforce	
  the	
  notion	
  that	
  water	
  is	
  of	
  little	
  value.	
  There	
  
is	
  an	
  urgent	
  need	
  to	
  think	
  beyond	
  the	
  costs	
  incurred	
  in	
  built	
  infrastructure	
  and	
  recognise	
  the	
  broader	
  
social	
  net	
  benefits	
  delivered	
  by	
  water-­‐related	
  ecosystem	
  services	
  in	
  sectors	
  as	
  diverse	
  as	
  tourism,	
  land	
  
management,	
  biodiversity	
  conservation,	
  and	
  environmental	
  management.	
  
Different	
  pricing	
  models	
  that	
  could	
  be	
  considered	
  in	
  the	
  30-­‐year	
  water	
  strategy	
  are:	
  
            •            New	
  infrastructure	
  vs.	
  old	
  infrastructure	
  –	
  different	
  tariffs	
  
            •            Tourist	
  v	
  business	
  vs.	
  industrial	
  v	
  residential	
  
            •            Block	
  v	
  hourly	
  vs.	
  monthly	
  tariffs	
  
            •            Service	
  providers	
  don’t	
  want	
  to	
  lose	
  revenue	
  so	
  they	
  need	
  to	
  make	
  water	
  cheaper	
  and	
  more	
  
                         accessible.	
  They	
  could	
  do	
  this	
  by	
  shifting	
  peaks	
  to	
  reduce	
  infrastructure	
  costs	
  but	
  not	
  reduce	
  
                         overall	
  consumption.	
  However,	
  in	
  times	
  of	
  low	
  water	
  supply	
  water	
  efficiency	
  programmes	
  and	
  
                         demand	
  management	
  would	
  need	
  to	
  be	
  triggered	
  quickly	
  and	
  effectively.	
  	
  
3.7	
  	
                Further	
  ideas	
  
Overall,	
  what	
  other	
  changes	
  need	
  to	
  occur	
  to	
  achieve	
  our	
  water	
  vision	
  in	
  the:	
  short	
  term	
  (2013-­‐14),	
  
medium	
  term	
  (2014-­‐19)	
  and	
  Long	
  term	
  (2019-­‐42)?	
  
Griffith	
  University	
  congratulates	
  the	
  Queensland	
  Government	
  on	
  having	
  the	
  foresight	
  to	
  develop	
  a	
  30-­‐
year	
   water	
   strategy	
   and	
   we	
   are	
   delighted	
   to	
   be	
   engaged	
   in	
   the	
   planning	
   process	
   and	
   contribute	
   to	
   its	
  
development,	
  refinement	
  and	
  implementation.	
  	
  

28/03/13	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  Griffith	
  University	
  Submission	
     9	
  
What	
  needs	
  to	
  done	
  in	
  the	
  short	
  term	
  (2013	
  –	
  2014)	
  ?	
  
The	
   30-­‐year	
   water	
   plan	
   must	
   be	
   developed	
   within	
   the	
   context	
   of	
   climate	
   variability.	
   Queensland	
   is	
  
subject	
  to	
  long	
  (6-­‐10	
  years)	
  periods	
  of	
  below	
  average	
  rainfall	
  followed	
  by	
  6-­‐10	
  years	
  of	
  above	
  average	
  
rainfall,	
   within	
   a	
   longer	
   cycle	
   (15-­‐30	
   years)	
   of	
   wetter	
   and	
   drier	
   periods.	
   This	
   variability	
   must	
   be	
  
recognised	
  as	
  integral	
  to	
  the	
  30-­‐year	
  plan,	
  which	
  must	
  deal	
  with	
  the	
  floods	
  of	
  today	
  but	
  prepare	
  for	
  
the	
   drought	
   of	
   tomorrow.	
   The	
   competing	
   issues	
   are	
   water	
   security	
   (drought)	
   and	
   water	
   quality	
  
(flood).	
  
The	
  action	
  items	
  in	
  the	
  short	
  term	
  are:	
  	
  
            •            Increasing	
  Consumer	
  awareness	
  
            •            Developing	
   a	
   National	
   Water	
   Education	
   Strategy	
   to	
   educate	
   and	
   engage	
   consumers.	
   The	
  
                         current	
  understanding	
  of	
  the	
  public	
  in	
  water	
  science	
  issues	
  is	
  very	
  limited	
  and	
  has	
  proven	
  to	
  
                         be	
   a	
   barrier	
   to	
   changes	
   in	
   water	
   management,	
   even	
   where	
   those	
   were	
   clearly	
   improving	
   on	
  
                         the	
   current	
   management.	
   Better	
   public	
   education	
   in	
   the	
   water	
   cycle	
   in	
   particular	
   is	
   a	
   long-­‐
                         term	
   investment	
   (starting	
   with	
   better	
   education	
   during	
   primary	
   school)	
   and	
   on	
   a	
   timescale	
  
                         particularly	
  well	
  suited	
  to	
  a	
  30-­‐year	
  strategy.	
  
            •            Developing	
  a	
  Innovation	
  Strategy	
  and	
  a	
  system	
  to	
  support	
  it	
  
            •            Consideration	
  of	
  alternative	
  pricing	
  models	
  
What	
  needs	
  to	
  done	
  in	
  the	
  medium	
  term	
  (2014	
  –	
  2019)	
  ?	
  
Restructure	
  the	
  entities	
  and	
  formalise	
  their	
  interactions.	
  
Ensure	
  that	
  the	
  right	
  structures	
  and	
  processes	
  are	
  implemented.	
  
Invest	
   in	
   new	
   technology	
   for	
   water	
   “supply”,	
   develop	
   new	
   agricultural	
   practises	
   that	
   reduce	
   water	
  
wastage	
   and	
   preserve	
   the	
   catchment,	
   apply	
   technological	
   advances	
   to	
   industry,	
   particularly	
   mining	
  
and	
  Coal	
  seam	
  gas	
  industry.	
  Future	
  development	
  needs	
  to	
  be	
  achieved	
  in	
  the	
  context	
  of	
  the	
  water,	
  
energy,	
  climate	
  nexus.	
  
The	
  action	
  items	
  in	
  the	
  medium	
  term	
  are:	
  	
  
            •            Maintain	
  consumer	
  awareness	
  
            •            Develop	
  a	
  Climate	
  change	
  resilience	
  Strategy	
  (water-­‐energy	
  nexus)	
  
            •            Develop	
  a	
  streamlined	
  regulatory	
  framework	
  and	
  a	
  system	
  to	
  support	
  it	
  
            •            Consideration	
  of	
  alternative	
  pricing	
  models	
  
What	
  needs	
  to	
  done	
  in	
  the	
  long	
  term	
  (2019	
  –	
  2042)	
  ?	
  
The	
  action	
  items	
  in	
  the	
  long	
  term	
  are:	
  	
  
            •            Implement	
  plan	
  
            •            Monitor	
  and	
  evaluate	
  the	
  plan	
  
            •            Institute	
  a	
  process	
  of	
  adaptive	
  management	
  
            •            All	
  of	
  these	
  processes	
  are	
  underpinned	
  by	
  innovative	
  technological	
  change.	
  

28/03/13	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  Griffith	
  University	
  Submission	
     10	
  
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