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Managing scarce water resources has been central to the Murray–Darling Basin (MDB) regional development story. The article puts water into a broader context of key drivers in development in the MDB. In addition to water markets and water policy, key issues include climate change, the changing relative resilience and viability of urban centres, the role of government, the impact of technological change, underlying exogenously set commodity prices and exchange rates. All these factors have had a significant impact on development, some with little discussion but others, such as water, have been contested and bitterly fought over. The article also examines these drivers and how they might affect future development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Australia experiences a wide range and increasing incidence of extreme hydrological events, including step changes in stream flows, extreme drought, bushfires followed by heavy rain, and storm events, which impact water availability and water quality. This article discusses the management of these events in the provision of water services in urban Australia. These events are being actively and effectively managed by large water service providers, covering around 80% of the population. But the experience for the remaining 20% is mixed, with smaller service providers often struggling to meet community expectations. This suggests a need for further governance reforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable Development Goal 6 seeks to address the increasing and unmet demand for water in many urban areas already struggling with inadequate water quality and supply. With climate change posing new threats, and both population growth and rural urban migration exacerbating existing issues, measures to reduce water demand sit alongside increasing water supply to address the problem. This article outlines Australia's experience in reducing water demand in urban areas, illustrating a range of measures that could contribute to meeting this goal. Key measures have a low fiscal cost, but require attention to governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Australia has husbanded its water resources to deliver laudable environmental and economic outcomes. But a close examination reveals some areas where decisions have resulted in poor outcomes and unsatisfactory use of public funds. This article examines some of these decisions through four case studies in which I suggest that current water infrastructure governance arrangements should be improved, through compelling politicians to place a greater focus on delivering value for money from infrastructure investments. Delivering higher-quality water services to remote indigenous communities should also be accorded a much higher priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the resilience of major Australian cities to extreme weather events. It reviews how and how well six of the largest Australian cities have responded to some recent water-related crises, covering droughts, floods and extreme storm events. It discusses examples of the preparedness for specific events, the immediate reaction to the event, the policy responses, and some of the more important challenges that remain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban water security in Australia’s major cities is now very high, reflecting in part recent policy interventions. Important indirect potable water reuse projects were completed but no direct potable reuse project was undertaken and none seems likely in the near term. Governments have much to learn from decisions to build very large desalination and recycling plants, particularly around timing and scale. Future water reuse decisions are likely to have a much greater commercial focus. Policies and regulations giving more flexibility to decentralized provision of water-related services could result in further growth of climate-resilient water resources and non-potable reuse. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper focuses on the use of three economic approaches to water management in Australia that can increase the efficiency of water use and water security, thus providing a fillip to sustainability and economic growth: the establishment of water markets and water pricing; government spending; and the adoption of legislation and economic regulations promoting the development of water markets. Australia is well down the reform path, but needs to complete implementation. Australia's challenge is relevant to many countries struggling with demand and supply water imbalances, and the consequential declining environmental outcomes in rural areas and persistent water shortages in urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]