Chairmans Foreword

The establishment of Water for Rivers creates a very significant leadership role for this company in the saving of water.  All Australians will see the founding of this company as a good news story in the on-going water debate.

Australians realise that water is our most valuable resource that is vital for the Nation's well-being, economy and the environment. We must ensure that we manage our water resources effectively to meet the ongoing demands for agricultural production, urban communities, recreation and the environment.

It is pleasing and encouraging to know that our Commonwealth and State Governments are all strongly committed to an overriding vision to ensure the vibrant and ongoing health of our river systems for the benefit of our future generations. This is clearly demonstrated by the fact that the Commonwealth, New South Wales and Victorian Governments have agreed to implement the findings and recommendations of the Snowy Water Inquiry to achieve significant improvements in environmental flows into the Snowy River, the River Murray and Snowy montane river systems.

To this end, the Governments have committed funds of $375 million over the next eight years and have established Joint Government Enterprise Limited to fund and commission water efficiency projects to yield specified water savings targets, which in turn will enable increased environmental flows to be released into the Snowy River and the River Murray systems.

Joint Government Enterprise Limited was incorporated as a Public Company in December 2003 and for operational purposes has adopted a succinct yet descriptive business name of Water for Rivers. The Company has established its headquarters in Albury, New South Wales.

The Directors are fully committed to this exciting project and see it not only as an opportunity to improve environmental flows but an opportunity to help water agencies and companies to improve infrastructure and develop better delivery methods.  On farm irrigators can take advantage of these improved systems by better matching water use with their crop requirements.  The added benefits are reduced accession into local water tables and less movement of salt and nutrients as surface run off is reduced.

Water for Rivers is in a unique position to bring together and interact with a wide range of stakeholders and business partners, including Governments and their Agencies, irrigation authorities, local government and associated bodies, private sector industry and business, various community groups and individuals to achieve the water savings necessary to meet the governments' environmental flow targets for the Snowy River and the River Murray.

The challenges ahead are demanding, yet so too are the opportunities. Water for Rivers will be facilitating and funding water efficiency projects already in progress, as well as developing new partnership arrangements to take maximum advantage of innovative ideas and schemes, new technology and industry knowledge.