Day 3

The Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA)

After two days’ discussion and communication, we learned a lot about the water condition and management of MDB. This morning, we went to the highest governmental level in water management of Australia — the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts of Australian Government (DEWHA), and met with Helen Foard (the director of Strategies & International Section), Naomi Dumbrell (the Director of Environmental Watering Policy Section) and others. We talked about four aspects of water management in Australia as follows:

- Water Reform in Australia;
- Environmental Water Plan;
- Water Trading and Water Markets;
- National Water Quality Management Strategy.

From the discussion with the manager, we learned that the Australian Government has done a lot of work to improve the water condition of the country, and have invested large amounts of money in projects such as the National Water Initiative (NWI) and Water for the Future.

The overall objective of NWI is to achieve a nationally compatible market, regulatory and planning based system of managing surface and groundwater resources for rural and urban use that optimises economic, social and environmental outcomes.

On 29 April 2008, the Federal Minister for Climate Change and Water announced the Australian Government’s comprehensive new strategy to secure the long term water supply of all Australians. Under “Water for the Future” the Government will invest $12.9 billion over 10 years in water buybacks, infrastructure and policy reforms for the benefit of all Australians. The overarching objectives of Water for the Future are to take action on climate change, use water wisely, secure water supplies and support healthy rivers and waterways. Water for the Future will strengthen the role of the NWI as the blueprint for continuing water reform.

After visiting DEWHA we left for the next destination—Albury. On the way to Albury, we found that the main land use we could see was grazing.

Very few villages and people could be seen. What a great and peaceful land without much more people!

On the way to Albury, many infrastructure construction projects could be seen, reflecting the high growth of this country. In every site, the bald land or the soil hillock were separated by a siltation fence to avoid the sediment moving to the waterbody. Good environmental protecting awareness!

At night, we had a good time in the pub, enjoying the Irish food and beer and watching the rugby league game between NSW and QLD with excited mood. The most interesting thing was that Peter supported the team of NSW, while Steve supported the team of QLD. Because they both are our good friends, the only choice of us is to support two teams, and we are always happy no matter which team won the game. At last, we were all cheerful except Peter because QLD won the game.

By Yang Libin and Wang Ping