The Australian Water Resources Council (AWRC) was established in 1962 by the Commonwealth and State Governments as a non-statutory body.

Its functions were to further co-operation and collaboration on water matters of mutual concern; to provide a forum for exchange of views relating to the development of policies, guidelines and programmes which may be considered appropriate to assist the most beneficial development and orderly assessment, and management of Australia's water resources. It consisted of the Ministers of the Commonwealth, State and Territory government departments responsible for water resources.

By 1964, the Membership of the Council was as follows:

 

 Commonwealth: The Hon D E Fairbairn (Chairman); the Hon C E

               Barnes

 New South Wales: The Hon A G Enticknap

 Victoria: The Hon J C M Balfour

 Queensland: The Hon H Richter

 South Australia: The Hon G G Pearson

 Western Australia: The Hon G P Wild

 Tasmania: The Hon D A Cashion

 Secretary: J R Hocking

By 1979, the Northern Territory had become a member of the Council, and the member responsible was the Minister for Transport and Industry, the Hon R Steele.

The Council was not concerned with particular works projects, normally the responsibility of the States or the Commonwealth for which there are established channels for the exchange of views and allocation of funds such as the Premiers' Conference and Loan Council.

The Council was advised by the Standing Committee of the Australian Water Resources Council. Representatives of the Commonwealth, State and Territory government departments responsible for water resources were members of this standing committee. AWRC was also advised by permanent technical committees and a number of supporting groups including fixed term working groups and panels.

After recognising that there was a need to provide a continuing inter-Government forum for discussion of views on water management matters as well as assessment, the Council, in 1975, agreed in principle to amend its objectives and functions to incorporate this role.

Under the States Grants (Water Resources) Act 1964 and subsequent Acts, the Commonwealth Government granted financial assistance to the States in connection with the measurement and investigation of their water resources. This funding was on a triennial basis. This legislation was replaced in 1981.

From 1968 the AWRC administered a Water Research Fund from the Commonwealth Government. This research program was aimed at improving the efficiency of water management in Australia by complementing research already being undertaken by other agencies.

In 1964, in response to a perceived lack of water resources data in all States, the Commonwealth Government instituted, through the AWRC, the National Water Resources Assessment Program. The original aim was to expand the stream gauging network in Australia and increase the level of groundwater knowledge. In 1976, the collection of water quality data was added to the program. The program was reviewed and a new program designed to meet changing and emerging water data needs commenced in 1984-85.

The Council has published numerous articles on water resources including Water News which replaced the Water Resources Newsletter in 1981. The Council also published an Occasional Paper Series dealing with a variety of water related matters, and a Technical Paper Series which published Final Reports of research projects supported by the Council.

It is probable that the Council changed its location between 1973 and 1975.

In 1992, the then Minister for Primary Industries and Energy, who chaired the Australian Agricultural Council (AAC, CA 479) proposed the amalgamation of the AAC with the then Australian Soil Conservation Council and the AWRC.  The proposal was formally considered and agreed in August 1992, and the new Agricultural Council of Australia and New Zealand (later ARMCANZ) was created in October 1992.  It first met in Alice Springs in July 1993.

The first meeting of the AWRC was held in March 1963, with a total of 33 meetings reported as held prior to the creation of ARMCANZ. 

Sources:

 

Commonwealth Government Directories, 1964-1972

Australian Government Directories, 1973-1975

Commonwealth Government Directories, 1976-1984

Year Book of the Commonwealth of Australia, 1964-1966

Year Book of Australia, 1967-1984

Commonwealth Government Directory Volume 2 for Statements Resources and Energy Portfolio March 1983

http://www.mincos.gov.au/background

Historical agency address:

by1945-by1965: AMP Building, Petrie Street, Canberra

by1965-by1967: Hobart Place, Canberra

by1967-by1973: Tasman House, 26-30 Marcus Clark Street, Canberra

by1973-by1976: Canberra  [subject to further research]

by1976-by1982: Tasman House, Hobart Place, Canberra

by1983             : Jolimont Centre, Northbourne Avenue, Canberra