rights excessively and water users also continued to overexploit water resources, rendering water resources management for solving problems difficult, a situation that called for a system under control of the federal government. Under these circumstances, federal Prime Minister John Howard in January 2007 announced the National Water Security Plan for Cities and Towns. The plan was designed for drastic improvement of water resources management across the country, with the federal government spending 10.05 billion Australian dollars (about ¥950 billion at the prevailing exchange rate then), including an overhaul program for irrigation pipes in the Murray-Darling river system. As the plan included the transfer of some powers related to water resources management from states to the federal government, the discord between the federal and state governments also drew attention. In September 2007, the Water Act 2007 was enacted with provisions for the

Figure4-2-7 Murray-Darling Basin Map

Source: Murray River Tourism

partial transfer of powers related to water resources management in the Murray-Darling river system to a federal government agency. Based on this act, the Murray-Darling Basin Authority was established as an independent agency made up of experts and responsible for preparing an integrated management plan for water resources of the vast Murray-Darling Basin. As the basin management plan includes the establishment of limits on integrated and sustainable use of surface water and groundwater, identification of climate change and other risks to water resources in the river system and a strategy for managing such risks, an indication that the independent agency has been given the functions and powers necessary for management of water resources in the basin in an integrated and sustainable manner. Thus, the Australian government has established, albeit partially, a framework for a federal agency to manage water resources, previously the preserve of state governments and other related parties.

## c) Example of Asia

In February 2004, the Network of Asian River Basin Organizations (NARBO) was established by such entities as the Japan Water Agency, an incorporated administrative agency, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Asian Development Bank Institute (Figure 4-2-8). NARBO, which now comprises 71 organizations

Source: Network of Asian River Basin Organizations (NARBO)

Figure4-2-9 Outline of the Mekong River Commission (MRC)

Consists of one member from each country at ministerial or cabinet level

○Foster mutual understanding among donors

○Coordinate among donors concerning support for MRC projects

○Makes policy decisions and provides other necessary guidance

○Consists of one member from each country at no less than Head of Department level

○Responsible for the implementation of the policies and decisions of the Council and supervises basin development plans and activities of the MRC Secretariat

MRC Secretariat

○Provides technical and administrative services to the Council and the Joint Committee

○Has about 150 staff members

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) appointed by the Council

Mekong River Commission (MRC)

## National Mekong Committees

○Member countries set up national committees within the governments

○Support formulation and implementation of national policies on management of Mekong River water resources

○Link their activities to the MRC

Source: Water Resources Department, Land and Water Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism