State of the Basin Report Murky Waters Running Clearer?
The Wentworth Group members have co-authored this paper with other leading experts in water reform
Entries by Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists
NSW Biodiversity Offsets Scheme Bill Senate Inquiry Submission
The Wentworth Group has made this submission to the NSW Planning and Environment Portfolio Committee’s inquiry into the Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Biodiversity Offsets Scheme) Bill 2024.
Federal Nature Positive EPA Bill and associated bills – Senate Inquiry Submission
The Wentworth Group was invited to attend a public hearing and make a submission to the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee inquiry into the three Nature Positive Bills introduced to parliament as part of tranche 2 of the Government’s Nature Positive reforms.
Blueprint to Repair Australia’s Landscapes
Australians do not have to choose between a healthy environment and a productive economy. Repairing Australia’s landscapes is essential, urgent, achievable, affordable, and in the national interest.
Submission on DCCEEW Discussion Paper for a renewed National Water Initiative
The Wentworth Group has made this submission to DCCEEW’s consultation process: “Seeking views on a future national water agreement”.
Australia’s Extinction Crisis – Senate Inquiry Submission
The Wentworth Group has undertaken a review of the proposed reforms to the EPBC Act based on material shared by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) to date.
Preventing ‘Death by a Thousand Cuts’
A practical approach for addressing cumulative impacts in reforms of Australia’s environment laws, in a way that minimises burden on developers and is within Commonwealth powers.
Submission to Senate Inquiry into the Water Amendment Bill 2023
The Wentworth Group has made this submission to the Senate Inquiry into the Water Amendment (Restoring Our Rivers) Bill 2023.
Are Murray-Darling Basin rivers getting the water they need to stay healthy?
Assessment of whether river flows in the Murray-Darling Basin have achieved minimum flow requirements needed to ensure the river health.
Response to Minister Plibersek’s Announcement of a New Agreement to Implement the Murray-Darling Basin Plan
Response to Minister Plibersek’s Announcement of a New Agreement to Implement the Murray-Darling Basin Plan
The SDLAM Reconciliation Method – Key points
The Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists wish to layout these key points we believe are needed for the Reconciliation of the Sustainable Diversion Limits Adjustment Mechanism Projects.
Upholding the Murray-Darling Basin Plan
The Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists wish to layout these key points we believe are needed to uphold the Murray-Darling Basin Plan
Submission to DCCEEW on Basin Plan Water Recovery
The Wentworth Group has made this submission to the Department of Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water on Opportunities for Water Recovery under the Murray Darling Basin Plan.
Nature Repair Market Bill – Environment and Communications Legislation Committee Submission
The Wentworth Group has made this submission to the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee Inquiry – Nature Repair Market Bill 2023
Submission to the Nature Repair Market Bill 2023 – Draft Exposure
The Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists made this submission to the Nature Repair Market Bill 2023- Draft exposure
Submission to the Namoi Valley Floodplain Harvesting Consultation
The Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists and the Environmental Defenders Office’s Submission to the Namoi Valley Floodplain Harvesting Consultation
Response to the Final Report of the Independent Review of Australian Carbon Credit Units
Wentworth Group’s Response to the Final Report of the Independent Review of Australian Carbon Credit Units
Response to the Clean Energy Regulator’s Statements in Senate Estimates
Wentworth Group’s response to the Clean Energy Regulator’s statements in Senate Estimates regarding our submission to the independent review of Australian Carbon Credit Units.
Submission to the Independent Review of Australian Carbon Credit Units
The Wentworth Group welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the independent review of Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs).
Submission to the National Biodiversity Market
The Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists made this submission to the National Biodiversity Market.
Vale Dr Ronnie Harding FEIANZ
The Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists would like to pay tribute to Dr Ronnie Harding FEIANZ, a founding Member of the organisation and a champion of environmental education, who passed away on June 18, 2022.
Floodplain harvesting flow targets in NSW
This brief sets out how the NSW Government’s floodplain harvesting flow targets prioritise irrigation extraction over needs for communities and river health.
Critique of DPIE-W’s review of WG river flows assessment
This paper provides a critique of DPIE-W’s review of the Wentworth Group report “Assessment of river flows in the Murray-Darling Basin: Observed versus expected flows under the Basin Plan 2012-2019.”
Announcement: New Chair of the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists
The Board and Members of the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists today welcomed Dr Ian Pollard, AM FAICD as the new Chair of the organisation.
Letter to Ms Faehrmann, MLC, regarding the misrepresentation of the Wentworth Group at the NSW Upper House Inquiry in Floodplain Harvesting
On 24 September, the work of the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists was misrepresented at the NSW Upper House Inquiry in Floodplain Harvesting. As this occurred when we were not able to address these inaccurate comments, we now seek to clarify the record.
Statement by Robert Purves in response to articles published in the Weekly Times
Statement by Robert Purves in response to articles published in the Weekly Times
Submission to the Inquiry into the NSW Government’s Management of Floodplain Harvesting
The Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists and the Environmental Defenders Office made the following submission to the Inquiry into the NSW Government’s Management of Floodplain Harvesting
Submission to the Inquiry into the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Standards and Assurance) Bill 2021
The Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists made this submission to the Inquiry into the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Standards and Assurance) Bill 2021
The Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists and the Environmental Defenders Office response to NSW Government claims related to access to information about the floodplain harvesting licencing framework
The Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists and the Environmental Defenders Office response to NSW Government claims related to access to information about the floodplain harvesting licencing framework
Submissions to the Productivity Commission’s National Water Reform Review
The Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists made these submissions to the Productivity Commission’s National Water Reform Review
Submissions to the NSW Government on the draft rules for floodplain harvesting licences
The Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists and the Environmental Defenders Office made these submissions to the NSW Government on the draft rules for floodplain harvesting licences to be included in water sharing plans
Submission to the Climate Change (National Framework for Adaptation and Mitigation) Bill 2020 and Climate Change (National Framework for Adaptation and Mitigation) (consequential and transitional provisions) Bill 2020
Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists made this submission to the Climate Change (National Framework for Adaptation and Mitigation) Bill 2020 and Climate Change (National Framework for Adaptation and Mitigation) (consequential and transitional provisions) Bill 2020.
Submission to the Senate Inquiry into the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Streamlining Environmental Approvals) Bill 2020
Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists made this submission to the Senate Inquiry into the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Streamlining Environmental Approvals) Bill 2020
Assessment of river flows in the Murray-Darling Basin: Observed versus expected flows under the Basin Plan 2012-2019
The Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists report on river flows in the Murray-Darling Basin 2012-2019.
Outstanding issues within NSW’s Final Draft Water Resource Plans and consequences for the Murray-Darling Basin Plan
The Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists reviewed the NSW draft WRPs/WSPs against the safeguards we consider necessary to ensure water resource plans developed for the Basin Plan will achieve the Plan’s objectives and meet statutory requirements.
The role of coastal processes in the management of the mouth of the River Murray, Australia: Present and future challenges
Members of the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists published a research paper in the special issue of River Research and Applications.
Submission to the Draft Native Fish Strategy
The Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists made this submission to the Draft Native Fish Strategy in April 2020.
Submission to the Independent Assessment of Social and Economic Conditions in the Basin
The Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists made this submission to the Independent Assessment of Social and Economic Conditions in the Basin in April 2020.
Submission to the Independent Review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
The Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists made this submission to the independent review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 in April 2020.
Submission to the Independent Review of the Water for the Environment Special Account (WESA)
The Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists made this submission to the Independent Review of the Water for the Environment Special Account (WESA) in December 2019.
Submission on the draft Basin-wide environmental watering strategy
The Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists made this submission to the Murray-Darling Basin Authority on the draft Basin-wide environmental watering strategy in August 2019.
Submission to the NSW Water Reform Action Plan on proposed amendments to the metering regulation
The Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists made this submission to the NSW Water Reform Action Plan on proposed amendments to the metering regulation in August 2019.
Submission to the Murray-Darling Basin Commission of Inquiry Bill 2019
The Murray-Darling Basin Commission of Inquiry Bill seeks to establish an inquiry with the powers of a Royal Commission to investigate the management of the Basin water resources and the implementation and enforcement of the Basin Plan.
Guide to reviewing Water Resource Plans
The Wentworth Group have developed this guide to reviewing Water Resource Plans (WRPs) to assist communities to understand WRP legal inclusions, the WRP accreditation process and the key scientific issues which should be included in robust WRPs.
Review of Victoria’s North and Murray Water Resource Plan
In March 2019 Wentworth Group reviewed the Victoria’s North and Murray Water Resource Plan (WRP).
Water Flows in the Murray-Darling Basin: Observed versus expected
The Wentworth Group conducted a study to evaluate whether environmental water recovery has led to observable increases in river flows in the Murray-Darling Basin.
Murray-Darling Basin Snapshot
In January 2019 the Wentworth Group produced this snapshot report on the Murray Darling Basin.
Response to the Murray-Darling Basin Royal Commission Report
In January 2019 the Wentworth Group made this response to the release of the South Australian Murray-Darling Basin Royal Commission Report.
Submission to the NSW Water Reform Action Plan
In April 2018 Wentworth Group made this submission to the NSW Water Reform Action Plan.
Advice on Basin Plan Amendment Instrument 2017 (no 1)
Advice on the 2017 Murray-Darling Basin Plan amendment to increase sustainable diversion limits for surface water by 70GL in the northern Basin and for groundwater by 160GL in three zones across the Basin.
Review of Water Reform in the Murray-Darling Basin
This report is the first independent and comprehensive review of water reform in the Murray-Darling Basin since the Basin Plan was agreed by the Australian Parliament in 2012.
Submission to Murray-Darling Basin Authority on Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Draft Determination
In November 2017 the Wentworth Group made this submission to the Murray-Darling Basin Authority on the adjustment to the sustainable diversion limit (draft determination).
Submission to Climate Change Policies Review
In May 2017 the Wentworth Group made this submission to the Australian Government Department of Environment and Energy as part of the 2017 review of climate change policies.
Submission to Climate Change Authority’s Action on the Land Issues Paper
In April 2017 the Wentworth Group made this submission to the Climate Change Authority on the ‘Action on the land’ issues paper.
Submission to the Productivity Commission on the National Water Reform Issues Paper
In April 2017 the Wentworth Group made this submission to the Productivity Commission on the National Water Reform Issues Paper.
Submission on proposed changes to sustainable diversion limits in the Murray-Darling Basin
In February 2017 the Wentworth Group made a submission to the Murray-Darling Basin Authority in light of the proposed changes and the environmental, social and economic future of the Basin as a whole.
Accounting for Nature 2016
A model for environmental accounting for measuring the condition of assets over time, with examples from the regional trial.
Evaluation of the Australian Regional Environmental Accounts Trial
The first of two reports evaluating the application of the Accounting for Nature model as part of the Australian Regional Environmental Accounts Trial.
Technical Analysis of the Australian Regional Environmental Accounts Trial
This report accompanies the Evaluation Report and provides a more detailed review of approaches used in the Australian Regional Environmental Accounts Trial.
Blueprint Paper 1: Using Markets to Conserve Natural Capital
Transformative, long-term economic and institutional reforms that Australia must implement if it is to create a healthy environment with a productive economy.
Australian Regional Environmental Accounts Trial: Report to NRM Regions Australia
This report describes the application of an environmental asset condition accounting method, called Accounting for Nature, at a regional (sub-national) scale, based on the findings of a three year trial.
Blueprint for a Healthy Environment and a Productive Economy
Transformative, long-term economic and institutional reforms that Australia must implement if it is to create a healthy environment with a productive economy.
Statement on the Future of Australia’s Water Reform
The Wentworth Group calls on all Australian governments to take the long view and prepare the country for this new climate regime by recommitting to water reform through a new, broader national agreement.
Submission to NSW Biodiversity Legislation Review
In September 2014 the Wentworth Group made this submission to the Independent NSW Biodiversity Legislation Review Panel.
Submission to Productivity Commission Inquiry into Natural Disaster Funding Arrangements
In June 2014 the Wentworth Group made a submission to the Productivity Commission Public Inquiry into Natural Disaster Funding Arrangements.
Submission to Inquiry into Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Bilateral Agreement Implementation) Bill 2014
In April 2014 the Wentworth Group made a submission to the Senate Committee Inquiry into Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Bilateral Agreement Implementation) Bill 2014 [Provisions] and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Cost Recovery) Bill 2014 [Provisions].
Submission to Inquiry into Environmental Offsets
In April 2014 the Wentworth Group made a submission to the Senate Environment and Communications Standing Committee Inquiry into Environmental Offsets.
Submission to Inquiry into the Government’s Direct Action Plan
In January 2014 the Wentworth Group made a submission to the Senate Environment and Communications References Committee Inquiry into the Government’s Direct Action Plan.
Quick Guide for Constructing Regional Scale Environmental Asset Condition Accounts
Guidelines for Constructing Regional Environmental Asset Condition Accounts.
Initial Observations from the Australian Regional Environmental Asset Condition Accounts Trials
Describes how the Accounting for Nature model uses science and statistics to create a common unit of measure for environmental accounting.
Submission to Inquiry into the Clean Energy Legislation (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2013
In November 2013 the Wentworth Group made a submission to the Senate Inquiry into the Clean Energy Legislation (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2013 and related bills.
Accounting for Nature: A Common Currency for Measuring the Condition of Our Environment
Peter Cosier presented a keynote address, Accounting for Nature: A Common Currency for Measuring the Condition of Our Environment in NZ.
Global insights into water resources, climate change and governance
The threats of climate change and the trade-offs between extractions and flows are examined for the Colorado, Murray, Orange and Yellow Rivers.
Wentworth Group Evaluation of 3200GL Modeling with Relaxed Constraints
Plan for a reduction in extractions combined with relaxation of eight constraints, falls well short of satisfying the requirements of the Water Act 2007.
Statement on Changes to Commonwealth Powers to Protect Australia’s Environment
Proposes a suite of reforms, as an alternative to the Commonwealth’s plans to hand environmental approvals powers to states.
Wentworth Group Evaluation of the Proposed Basin Plan
Response to plan changes released on August 6, 2012. Once again the taxpayer pays, individuals benefit and the river loses.
Water and the Future of Water in Australia
Dr John Williams was invited to give the keynote address at the Australian Water Association NSW Heads of Water Gala Dinner.
Trials of Environmental Asset Condition Accounts in Australia
Peter Cosier and Carla Sbrocchi presented to the UN Committee of Experts on Environmental-Economic Accounting in Rio de Janeiro.
Capturing Science in Accounts
Prof Bruce Thom presented to the Australian Bureau of Statistics: Completing the Picture – Environmental Accounting in Practice Conference in Melbourne.
Regional Trials of Environmental Asset Condition Accounting in Australia
Peter Cosier and Carla Sbrocchi presented at an Australian Bureau of Statistics conference.
Analysis of Groundwater in the 2011 Draft Murray-Darling Basin Plan
Once water is allocated to consumption, it is very difficult to return it to the environment.
Caring for Our Coasts?
Prof Bruce Thom delivered the Keynote Address at the Australian Coastal Councils Conference, “Caring for Our Coasts?” in Hobart on 6 March 2012.
Statement on the 2011 Draft Murray-Darling Basin Plan
Statement on the 2011 Draft Murray-Darling Basin Plan in response to the release of the Draft Plan on November 28, 2011.
Accounting for the Condition of Environmental Assets
A paper presented to the UN Committee of Experts on Environmental Accounting at the Technical Meeting on Ecosystem Accounts in London.
A Common Currency for Building Environmental (Ecosystem) Accounts
Peter Cosier and Jane McDonald presented to the 16th London Group on Environmental Accounting in Santiago, Chile.
Sustainable Diversions in the Murray-Darling Basin
This report seeks to identify the scale of reductions in diversions required within each of the 18 catchments of the Basin.
Optimising Carbon in the Australian Landscape
It will be next to impossible to achieve the scale of reductions needed in sufficient time to avoid dangerous climate change.
The Urgent Provision of Water to the Coorong and Lower Lakes
In September 2008 this Submission was tabled at the Senate inquiry into water management in the Coorong and Lower Lakes.
Accounting for Nature
An environmental accounting system which would measure the health and change in condition of our major assets for long-term management.
Australia’s Climate is Changing Australia
Australia is going to have to get by with a lot less water, a whole lot sooner than we thought. Urgently accelerating agreed water reforms.
Blueprint for a National Water Plan
A plan to become water literate and the Council of Australian Governments to commit to urgently needed national reforms.
A New Model for Landscape Conservation in NSW
Landscape conservation founded on simplicity and flexibility, balancing investment security with high environmental standards.
Blueprint for a Living Continent
If we get it right, Australia will continue to produce food and fibre for us and for the rest of the world. If we fail to act, history will judge us harshly.