Terms of Reference
Water Forever Science Panel
Purpose
The Water Forever Science Panel will provide independent advice to the Water Corporation on the preparation of Water Forever, a 50-year plan for water services.
Deliverables
Having regard to the objectives of Water Forever, the Science Panel will provide independent advice on the following:
- Identify major future trends that should be considered in the plan horizon
- Discuss the Options Paper with particular attention to:
- draft planning assumptions;
- the completeness and accuracy of options discussed;
- identifying other options for review and further consideration; and
- issues and risks not adequately identified in the plan. - Discuss the Directions Paper (draft plan) with particular attention to:
- alignment with community input;
- how proposed plans for each of the three horizons meet the needs of customers and build a sustainable water
future;
- implementation and risk issues; and
- adequacy of options analysis process. - Discuss and comment on the final plan.
Membership and Reporting
Members will report to Prof. Robert Harvey, member Water Corporation Board of Directors. The Science Panel consists of the following representatives:
- Mr Ross Young Executive Director, WSAA (chair)
- Dr Tom Hatton Director, Water for a Healthy Country CSIRO
- Dr John Marsden Principal, Marsden Jacobs Associates
- Dr Jenny Pope Director, Integral Sustainability
Access to information
The Science Panel will be circulated agendas and background papers prior to each meeting.
Water Corporation personnel who are involved with the project will provide presentations and be available to discuss issues as required by the Science Panel. Supplementary information can be provided on request, on the basis of confidentiality.
Meeting Duration and Frequency
The Chair will host one day meetings in Perth, as follows:
Purpose | Timing | Deliverable |
| Options review | May 2008 | Synopsis of meeting |
| Draft Review | November 2008 | Synopsis of meeting |
| Final report review | April 2009 | Synopsis of meeting |
Executive Support
Mr Paul Van der Wal, Strategic Project Manager Water Forever, will be the Executive Officer to the Review Panel.
Accountability
A synopsis of each meeting will be drafted, generally comprising of:
- meeting conduct;
- discussion points;
- clarification of issues; and
- actions resulting.
The synopsis will be circulated for comment to Panel members by the Chair, following the meetings.
After final signoff by the Chair, the synopsis will be made publicly available on the Water Forever website.
All media communications will be undertaken through the Chair of the Science Panel.