Fed: COAG set to approve historic water reforms

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Fed: COAG set to approve historic water reforms

City dwellers will be forced to crack down on water wastage as part of an historicdeal to rejuvenate the nation's rivers, set to be signed by federal state and territoryleaders tomorrow.

Water rights and ways to fix up the nation's rivers are the key issue for today's gatheringof leaders at the Council of Australian Governments meeting.

Senior government sources are confident the premiers and chief ministers will signa national agreement giving farmers more certainty and allowing water rights to be tradedacross state borders.

The package also includes a $500 million, five-year plan to help rejuvenate the ailingMurray-Darling river system.

Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD last night hosted the Labor Premiers and Chief Ministersto dinner at The Lodge ahead of the meeting, which will also discuss counter terrorismand ways to tackle violence in indigenous communities.

Under the Murray-Darling package, the federal government will contribute $125 million,with South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales making up the remaining $375 million.

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KEYWORD: COAG WATER (CANBERRA)