Media Release - 21/02/03

Whilst water reform is a topical issue in the present climate with much of New South Wales declared to be in drought, ACCORD’s seminar held on the 21 February 2003, Water Reform, Co-operation and the Role of Co-operatives’ brought the topic of water lapping at the doorsteps … literally.

In his introduction to the program, Associate Professor Eddie Oczkowski said that the theme of the seminar was to put a positive spin on the whole water reform process. "The angle we’re trying to put forward, is the possibility that co-operation and the greater use of the co-operative form, may enhance community benefits and also improve things from a long term perspective," he said.

ACCORD Research Fellow, Kathryn Parker and Eddie Oczkowski, who is Co-director of ACCORD, gave a joint presentation on ACCORD’s latest research paper "Water reform and co-operation." In summing up, Professor Oczkowski acknowledged that the paper raised a series of questions. He hoped that with its launch more debate would be generated on the issues and that ACCORD may have the opportunity to contribute to better policy and more co-operatives in the water market.

Joe Jones, Deputy Chairman, Hunter Wine Country, Private Irrigation District; and Geoff Hipkins, spoke about co-operation amongst irrigators from the perspective of Murrumbidgee Irrigation; John Francis, Department of Land and Water Conservation spoke about water sharing plans developed across the state and co-operation amongst the various stakeholders. Dr Gamini Herath, Senior Lecturer, LaTrobe University, Wodonga Campus highlighted co-operation in overseas markets and the lessons that could be learned from an international perspective.

Further Information:
Prof Eddie Oczkowski
Co-director
ACCORD
Ph: (02) 6933 2377