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| Basin Plan (Murray–Darling Basin) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Basin Plan (Murray–Darling Basin) |
| Region | Murray–Darling Basin |
| Jurisdiction | Australia |
| Enacted | 2012 |
| Administered by | Murray–Darling Basin Authority |
Basin Plan (Murray–Darling Basin)
The Basin Plan sets a statutory framework for allocating water in the Murray–Darling Basin across states such as New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory. It was developed by the Murray–Darling Basin Authority under the Water Act 2007 to reconcile competing interests among stakeholders including the Commonwealth of Australia, state governments, irrigators, environmental NGOs, and Indigenous Australians. The Plan aims to balance environmental needs of rivers like the Murray River and the Darling River with agricultural production in regions such as the Riverina, Mallee, and the Gwydir River catchment.
The Plan evolved from policy responses to crises including the Millennium Drought, the 2007‑08 Murray–Darling Basin Commission reforms, and inquiries such as the Productivity Commission reviews and the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Australia reports. Objectives include securing sustainable diversion limits for consumptive use, protecting key sites like the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth and the Menindee Lakes, and meeting international commitments under instruments linked to Ramsar sites. It references science from institutions including the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, the Bureau of Meteorology, and universities such as University of Adelaide, University of Melbourne, and Australian National University.
Legally grounded in the Water Act 2007 (Cth), the Plan interacts with state legislation such as the Water Management Act 2000 (NSW) and arrangements among entities like the Murray–Darling Basin Authority, the National Water Commission (Australia), and the COAG. The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder plays a role alongside state water agencies and bodies like the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists, Australian Conservation Foundation, and Nature Conservancy. Implementation involves statutory instruments, accreditation processes, and bilateral agreements between the Commonwealth of Australia and state executives including the New South Wales Government and the Victorian Government.
Key measures include setting sustainable diversion limits (SDLs), designing water recovery programs through buybacks and infrastructure upgrades, and applying environmental watering plans tied to assets such as the Barmah-Millewa Forest and the Macquarie Marshes. Economic instruments engage water markets in locations like the Goulburn Valley and governance through bodies including the Murray Irrigation Limited and the Victorian Environmental Water Holder. Technical components reference modelling by the MDBA Science and Modelling Branch, hydrological tools from the Bureau of Meteorology, and monitoring at the Hume Dam and Menindee Lakes. The Plan integrates adaptive management principles promoted by organisations like the CSIRO and frameworks used in projects funded via the National Water Initiative.
Targets include improving river health indicators for wetlands such as Macquarie Marshes, restoring flows to the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth, and reducing risk of fish kills in systems like the Lower Darling River. Outcomes are evaluated against ecological objectives for species including the Murray cod, golden perch, freshwater turtles, and migratory birds recorded at Ramsar-listed sites. Scientific assessments draw on research from the Australian Academy of Science, regional environmental consultancies, and monitoring programs tied to the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 approvals. Adaptive schedules for environmental watering involve coordination with agencies such as the South Australian Department for Environment and Water and community groups like Healthy Rivers Commission-affiliated networks.
Economic analyses by the Productivity Commission, the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences, and independent consultancies examined effects on irrigated agriculture in regions like the Riverina, Shepparton, and Sunraysia. Social impacts concerned communities in towns such as Mildura, Griffith, and Deniliquin, and engaged stakeholders including Irrigators' associations, local councils, and Indigenous communities represented by organizations such as the Northern Basin Aboriginal Nations. Measures influenced commodity sectors including rice production, cotton industry, and viticulture in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area.
Implementation mechanisms include accredited state water resource plans, compliance oversight by the Murray–Darling Basin Authority and the Office of Compliance and Enforcement, and dispute resolution through forums like the ACCC when market issues arise. Enforcement actions have involved investigations by agencies such as the Commonwealth Ombudsman and legal proceedings referencing the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and federal court processes, with audits reported to bodies like the Parliament of Australia.
Debate has involved politicians including members of the Australian Labor Party, the Liberal Party of Australia, and the National Party of Australia, NGOs such as the Australian Conservation Foundation and the World Wildlife Fund Australia, and media coverage in outlets like The Australian, Sydney Morning Herald, and ABC News. Criticisms have concerned perceived inadequacy of water recovery targets, allocation of buyback funding, alleged compliance failures in incidents like the Menindee fish kills, and tensions over state–Commonwealth powers exemplified in disputes heard in the Federal Court of Australia. Reviews by panels including the Murray–Darling Basin Authority Independent Review and commentary from scientists such as members of the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists have shaped amendments and bilateral negotiations.
Category:Water management in Australia Category:Murray–Darling Basin