- Message from the Premier
- 2007 Progress Report
- Water for Life Education Program
- News
- Frequently asked questions
Adaptive management
Under an adaptive management approach, plans are regularly reviewed to take account of new data and emerging technologies.
Investments are made on the basis of balancing the needs and views of the community with the needs of the environment, and on the best available knowledge, but without locking out future innovation. The mix of supply and demand measures is adjusted over time to provide the optimum balance to ensure that growth and drought needs are met at the lowest possible cost.
The NSW Government is committed to managing adaptively to ensure that the most appropriate and effective solutions are in place.
The Premier also established the Metropolitan Water Independent Review Panel which will provide a significant input into four-yearly reviews and development of subsequent versions of the Plan. It will also review yearly progress reports on the plan including the current 2007 Progress Report.
Facing up to a growing population
A million new residents are expected to be living in Sydney over the next 25 years – the equivalent of the population of Adelaide moving here. The plan includes a large number of water savings programs and recycling projects to help Sydney meet the needs of a growing population to 2015 and beyond.
Understanding and responding to climate change
Research is under way to better understand impacts on average rainfall from predicted temperature and evaporation increases.
While the results of the research will not be available until late 2008, the evidence to date suggests there will be increased variability in rainfall patterns. This places Sydney at risk if we rely solely on rainwater stored in dams.
Investing in measures such as desalination and recycling will help provide a supply of water that is not rainfall and climate dependent. This will help ensure that Sydney is better able to deal with severe drought and the potential impacts of climate change on our water supply system.
Educating people through Water for Life
Research shows that around half of all Sydney residents think that water is one of the most important issues facing people living in our region today. Building on this high level of community concern, education programs have been incorporated into each aspect of the Metropolitan Water Plan.
Under the banner of Water for Life, the NSW Government is implementing education campaigns and practical projects to engage business, agriculture and the broader community. Training and resources are being provided to educators to support their delivery of a wide range of local education projects across the greater Sydney region.
A number of frequently asked questions for the Progress Report have also been prepared, including:
- Why change the plan? What does adaptive management mean and why is it important?
- How is the community involved in securing Sydney’s water for the long term?
- Isn’t it already known that climate change is going to dry up the dam catchments?
- What’s next?
For more information view Chapter 1 of the Plan and pages 4-5 of the 2007 Progress Report.