Austrade media release
14 July 2010
A prominent water delegation from the United States is touring Australia for the next two weeks to gain an insight into our water conservation methods, product development, management and policy.
Organised by Austrade and supported by Water Australia the 'Water management and Sustainability Study Tour', which commenced this week and concludes on July 22, consists of 13 decision makers from US government, industry and research organisations who will visit Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Perth (see list below).
Austrade’s Regional Director for the Americas, Grame Barty, said there are many similarities in the water management issues being faced by Australia and the United States with increasing recognition of Australian leadership and capability in water management and sustainability.
“Austrade is taking a leading role in increasing the level of dialogue with the US, which is raising awareness of international business opportunities for Australian exporters,” Mr Barty said.
“This study tour builds on previous initiatives which have included inward and outward missions, events and forums. It is part of a broader strategy to share water security knowledge and experiences with key decision makers in the US by increasing awareness of Australia’s world-class expertise and capabilities,” he said.
During the two-week visit, participants will meet and receive presentations from Australian senior policy makers at the National and State level, as well as visiting utilities and facilities across Australia including desalination plants and water recycling projects.
Kerry Rooney, Austrade's Global Manager for Clean Energy and Environment, said due to our dry conditions Australia has developed significant expertise in all aspects of water conservation from manufacturing to systems integration and water saving technologies.
“The tour will provide delegates with an insight on how Australia has responded to reduced rainfall and water scarcity, as they look to address their own social, environmental and economic security issues related to water shortage,” Ms Rooney said.
“With the US experiencing similar conditions, especially across California, it is looking to find solutions to ensure water supplies to sustain key industries such as agriculture as well as providing water security for its large urban populations,” Ms Rooney said.
The study tour will travel across Australia visiting key water infrastructure investments in urban and regional areas to see first hand how these responses to securing water are working.
Austrade’s Water Management and Sustainability Study Tour is supported by Water Australia and various Federal and State Government agencies, with visits to Brisbane 12-13 July; Sydney 14-15 July; Canberra 16 July; Melbourne 19-20 July and Perth 21-22 July.
Water Australia is a new industry body established to stimulate growth of the Australian water sector by supporting national exports as well as creating awareness of the industry’s capabilities.
The United States continues to be a valuable market for Australian businesses looking to expand internationally. In 2008-2009 the US was Australia’s third largest trading partner with two-way trade valued at $53.1 billion. Austrade has a network devoted to the US market, providing extensive support for Australian exporters and assisting US companies to invest into Australia.
Water Study Delegation
- Mr A.G. Kawamura, Secretary California Department of Food and & Agriculture
- Ms Wendy Martin, Statewide Drought Coordinator, California Department of Water Resources
- Ms Carol Kwan, Director West Basin Municipal Water District
- Mr Ernie Shea, Project Coordinator 25x’25 Alliance
- Mr Fred Yoder, Former President Natural Corn Growers Association
- Ms Gloria Grey, Director West Basin Municipal Water District
- Mr James Johansson, 2nd Vice President California Farm Bureau Federation
- Ms Jennifer Gimbel, Director Colorado Water Conservation Board
- Mr Joe Grindstaff, Interim Executive Officer Delta Sterwardship Council
- Ms Linette Almond, Deputy Water Director/Engineering Manager, City of Santa Cruz, California
- Mr Patrick Sheilds, Executive Manager of Operations Inland Empire Utilities Agency
- Mr Ronald Smith, Director West Basin Municipal Water District
- Mr Wes Strickland, Shareholder Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP
ENDS
Media contact
Sarkis Khoury, Senior Media Adviser, Ph: 02-9390-2118, M: 0414 401 072
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