Background
Canberra, 20 April 2005
Background information for the Plantations and Water Roundtable
As you would be aware, the treatment of plantations in water policy is a major issue for the forest industry, communities, catchment management authorities and Governments to address. Its importance has been highlighted by the prolonged effects of the drought, affecting many rural areas, and the projected long-term changes in rainfall and temperature associated with climate change.
To address the many concerns over water and provide a framework for guiding its sustainable use, COAG (except for Tasmania and Western Australia) agreed to the National Water Initiative (NWI) in June 2004. The NWI specifies that water authorities should deliver the integrated management of water, based on the best available science and a proper assessment and balance of the economic, social and environmental outcomes associated with the various uses of water.
State Governments are currently developing implementation plans to support their commitment to the NWI and in December 2004, the Federal Parliament passed legislation to enact the National Water Commission. The State’s implementation plans are expected to provide a legislative framework for the development of regional water plans, which catchment authorities will endeavour to use in managing their water resources in an equitable and efficient manner. As part of those plans, special consideration will be given to the regulation of landuse change activities which are deemed to be ‘significant’ interceptors of water, such as ‘large-scale’ plantation forestry.
The recently established National Water Commission has a number of important roles to fulfil and will require strategic advice from numerous stakeholders in order to meet their statutory obligations. Those roles are identified in Clause 7 of the National Water Commission Act 2004 and include:
- Determining by mid-2005 whether the StateÂ’s implementation plans are consistent with the objectives and water reform agenda outlined in the NWI;
- Providing advice on the project priorities to be funded under the $2bn Australian Water Fund and over the next five years and on the content of the National Water Standard;
- Providing advice to the Commonwealth on any water matter of national significance, which could be determined by the scales of its impact on water resources or communities;
- Providing advice and recommendations to COAG on water management issues;
- Undertaking an initial assessment of the water resources and the management approaches adopted by the States;
- Assessing and reporting to COAG on the achievements of the States, in terms of their commitments to the NWI;
- Completing a biennial assessment of the water industry against national benchmarks to be established by the Commission; and
- Reviewing the NWI against national performance indicators by 2010-11. These indicators will be determined by the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council and the Commission.
A long-term industry approach is therefore required to meet the challenges outlined in the NWI. It is anticipated that the Roundtable will start to address these challenges. Prior to the Roundtable, a short discussion paper will be released containing a draft industry position statement on plantations and water.
We look forward to your involvement in this important meeting.
Phil Townsend CEO Tree Plantations Australia
Invitation to Plantations and Water Roundtable
Canberra
20th April 2005
9:30am to 3:30pm
The plantation sector is an increasingly important part of Australia’s forest and timber industry, providing a significant level of employment and income to many regional areas. While plantations can improve water quality, I am aware of the concerns that have been raised over the possible impacts of plantations on catchment water yields. With the potential for new tree crops to simultaneously produce additional resources for industry and help repair the environment, it is essential that a balanced water allocation approach be taken to support the growth of Australia’s plantation estate. I welcome this Roundtable and strongly suggest that plantation growers make every possible effort to assist governments and catchment managers with the introduction of a truly sustainable set of water reforms.
(Senator the Hon Ian Macdonald, Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation)
Given the enormity of the task at hand and the responsibilities of the National Water Commission, it is essential that the plantation sector as a whole can clearly articulate their views on the National Water Initiative and the project priorities to be considered under the Australian Water Fund. A number of terms such as ‘significant water interception’ and ‘large-scale plantation forestry’ are yet to be defined, and some direction is required on how the water management authorities can balance the economic, social and environmental benefits associated with each use of water.
I believe it is essential that the industry be engaged at this important stage of the water reform process, especially with the States bringing forward their draft implementation plans for consideration by mid-2005.
(The Hon Gary Nairn MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister)
Dear colleagues
You are invited to attend the Plantations and Water Roundtable to be held in Canberra on 20th April 2005. The meeting will commence with briefings from Senator the Hon Ian Macdonald (Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation) and the Hon Gary Nairn MP (Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister). This will be followed by presentations on the current state of knowledge with respect to plantations and water use. Just prior to, and immediately after, lunch, there will be industry discussions on the following proposed outcomes of the Roundtable:
1. An industry position statement on the content of the National Water Standard and the treatment of plantation water rights in regional water plans.
2. An outline of the project priorities that should be pursued through the Australian Water Fund.
3. Agreement on a plantations and water working group to pursue these two matters of importance.
At the end of the day, Senator the Hon Ian Macdonald and the Hon Gary Nairn MP will rejoin the meeting to hear the outcomes of the Roundtable and the recommendations from industry.
Stakeholders from all sectors of the plantation industry are welcome to attend the Roundtable. However, places are limited to 90 attendees. If you wish to attend this Roundtable meeting, please contact Ms Marijana Bobanovic on 02 6285 3833 by 11th March 2004.
We look forward to your involvement in this important meeting.
A long-term industry approach is therefore required to meet the challenges outlined in the NWI. It is anticipated that the Roundtable will start to address these challenges. Prior to the Roundtable, a short discussion paper will be released containing a draft industry position statement on plantations and water.
Yours sincerely
Phil Townsend
CEO Tree Plantations Australia
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