The Tasmanian Government has released its four-year Implementation Plan for the Rural Water Use Strategy. The plan outlines the actions to be taken to improve the security, quality and resilience of Tasmanian water resources both now and into the future.
The Rural Water Use Strategy Report Card highlights the progress made in strengthening partnerships and securing additional funding to deliver sustainable water management outcomes for Tasmania.
The Tasmanian Government identified the key sustainable water management challenges and recent achievements including:
- Funding to support freshwater science research was secured with the Australian Government through the National Water Grid Authority, and the Tasmanian Government co-investing more than $1.8 million into three science projects to support evidence-based policy and decision making in relation to climate change predictions in water yield modelling; groundwater risk assessment and water accountability by water users
- A $1.5 million investment delivered the actions from the Rural Water Use Strategy, released in 2021, and established the River Health Advisory ProjectThree new positions employed within Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania to manage the River Health Advisory Project and assist with implementing the 29 actions outlined in the Rural Water Use Strategy
- The positions are: Water Resource and River Health Scientist, Water Management and Freshwater Engagement Officer, and Project Manager Rural Water Use Strategy ImplementationThe Rural Water Round Table will be established and made up of water users, stakeholders and environmental managers to provide direction and advice on appropriate, sustainable water use including river health monitoring and management
- The first Rural Water Use Strategy Report Card was delivered and released in April 2022, which highlighted the progress made under the Rural Water Use Strategy in strengthening partnerships and securing additional funding to deliver sustainable water management outcomes for Tasmania
- Agreement has also been reached on establishing a Water Managers and Data Custodian Working Group involving key water managers across the state, including Hydro Tasmania, TasWater and the Bureau of Meteorology. The Working Group has a focus on improving data sharing, accessibility and coverage of hydrological measurements, water quality and river health to support a range of ongoing water management activities.
The Rural Water Use Strategy Report Card and the 2022-2025 Rural Water Use Strategy Implementation Plan can be viewed online here.
