Which level of Government has the responsibility to build dams to ensure the supply of adequate water to residents?
Thank you for your question about the three levels of government. The answer depends on the size and type of the water project.
In the Australian Constitution, water infrastructure and dams are not listed as federal government responsibilities, meaning states and territories have this responsibility. State governments may often give responsibility for the day to day management and delivery of water to residents to local councils.
As some water projects that are very big and the rivers involved may cross state boundaries, these projects may have to involve the federal government. One such example is the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme.
The law-making powers of state parliaments.
Parliamentary Education Office (peo.gov.au)
The law-making powers of state parliaments.
Parliamentary Education Office (peo.gov.au)
Description
The law-making powers of the state parliaments include:
- Schools
- Hospitals
- Roads and railways
- Public transport
- Electricity
- Water supply
- Gas supply
- Mining
- Agriculture
- Forests
- Community services
- Consumer affairs
- Police
- Prisons
- Ambulance services
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