A Governance solution to Australian freshwater Law and policy

Abstract

This chapter presents research outputs on three governance players: the law, the organisations and a collective look at civil society through epistemic communities and non-government organisations. All three players seem to be holding different shaped balls and rules and hence are poorly coordinated. The chapter points to ways to increase co-ordination and places that burden on the law. The conclusion reached is that the Water Act 2007 should be applied to the entire nation and water supply organisations need a harmonised corporate form. Civil society has played crucial roles in the past but their eye is off the ball at present. There is a need for stronger epistemic communities and NGOs. The chapter compares urban water supply laws and organisations in Australia and China. China was selected as it shows a change in governance process. Driven by acute need, China accepted foreign investment in the water sector and developed individual cities. Of late, China has changed this process and adopted a catchment approach to integrate urban water supply in the context and created an innovative position of Chief of the river.