Adaptive Management Principles of Water Law in Australia - Research Paper Example

In NSW, water is considered as a limited resource, which fluctuates due to seasonal variances in the climate and other factors of climatic changes. In addition, as the demand for water is increasing on a regular basis within the population, authorities are forced to implement effective regulating policies and guidelines to control water resources for the population all year-round. Over the past years, laws and policy measures have played a key role in the water management system used in NSW. Various reforms and amendments have also been made to the system in order to increase its flexibility to cope-up with the modern changes and demands for water supply.

Chronologically, the Dam Safety Act can be considered one of the initial measures for taking control over the functioning of dams within the territory, thereby ensure the adequacy of water resources for the population. Subsequently, further changes were made to the legal framework, with the introduction of NSW draft rural water pricing policies, Catchment audit framework, the establishment of water supply agreements, enforcing the memoranda of understanding, water sharing plans, and operating licenses.

Innumerable legislative systems have also been implemented with the objective to strengthen authoritative control on the water resources of the territory, such as the Water Act of 1912, the Water Management Act of 2000, the Water NSW Regulation of 2013, and Water NSW Act 2014. To be noted in this regard, the reforms are still in the process in the NSW to adapt effectively to the changing socio-demographic environment. In this study, a critical evaluation will be conducted to identify the various dimensions of the adaptive management technique used by the government at the time controlling the water resources within NSW.

In addition, the various pros and cons will also be assessed by aligning the general concept of adaptive management principles with the strategies being applied by the water management authority of the state.