The CRC for Water Sensitive Cities sponsors the CEDA Urban Water Security Event

On Friday 21 March, the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) presented the WA Water Challenges Series Part 3: Urban Water Security. The CRC for Water Sensitive Cities was a key sponsor for the event held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre. The CRC hosted a table of its Western Region participants from the Department of Water, Landcorp, Water Corporation, Department of Housing, Department of Regional Development, The Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council, City of Nedlands and the University of Western Australia.

The forum was chaired by Francois Gouws, Managing Director at Trility, and included informative presentations from key members of the water industry in Western Australia including the Hon. Mia Davies MLA, State Minister for Water and Forestry. Minister Davies highlighted her passion for the industry and eagerness to ensure the future security of water for all.

Sue Murphy, Chief Executive Officer at the Water Corporation, followed as keynote speaker and provided valuable insight into the current work of the Water Corporation, before answering a series of questions from the audience. The informative speakers continued with Adam Lovell, Executive Director from the Water Services Association of Australia, Nathan Taylor, Chief Economist at CEDA and Maree De Lacey, Director General at the Department of Water, who all identified the importance of water security and its viability as we move forward.

Tony Wong, Chief Executive at the CRC for Water Sensitive Cities concluded the event and offered a vote of thanks to all speakers.

“The topic of the forum was water security, particularly in the Western Australian context. We should take note of the working definition of water security recently proposed by UN Water. The working definition expands this term from its original meaning, which denoted access to potable water, to now include ensuring protection against ‘water-related disasters, and for preserving ecosystems in a climate of peace and political stability’,” Tony said. “This reflects the emerging global appreciation of water’s “centrality for achieving a larger sense of security, sustainability, development and human well-being”. In an urban setting, this interconnectedness is amplified, and the challenges exacerbated, by the density of human habitation and the institutional governance frameworks that continue to compartmentalise these issues.”

The relationship between the CRC for Water Sensitive Cities and CEDA is set to continue as we work together towards water sensitive cities!

Click here to visit the CEDA website and find out about upcoming events!