National Water Reform 2024

Call for submissions The Commission has released a call for submissions to guide people in preparing a submission. It sets out some of the issues and questions the Commission has identified as relevant at this early stage of the inquiry. Participants should provide evidence to support their views, including data and specific examples where possible. Submissions were due by Friday 2 February 2024

Interim report release The interim report finds that the 2004 National Water Initiative (NWI) has served Australia well, but there is an urgent need for renewal, due to climate change and changing water demand. The interim report also sets out the Commission’s preliminary assessment of jurisdiction’s progress towards meeting the outcome and objective of the 2004 National Water Initiative. Further information and feedback on the interim report were sought by 24 April 2024.

Final report to Government and release The report sets out the Commission’s findings and recommendations on the urgent need to renew the 2004 National Water Initiative, due to climate change and changing water demand. The report also sets out the Commission’s assessment of jurisdictions’ progress towards meeting the outcomes and objectives of the 2004 National Water Initiative. The final inquiry report was handed to the Australian Government on 28 May 2024 and publicly released on 27 June 2024.