Attributable to: Sir Angus Houston, AK, AFC (Ret'd), Chair Murray–Darling Basin Authority
The Murray–Darling Basin Authority provided advice to the Hon Tanya Plibersek, Minister for the Environment and Water that full implementation of the Basin Plan will not be possible by 30 June 2024.
Having considered the current progress towards legislative priorities for water recovery, the progress of projects for the Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism (SDLAM), water resource plans and Northern-Basin initiatives, it is the Authority’s view that the Basin Plan will not achieve its intended outcomes by the due date.
While much has been achieved in the decade of Basin Plan implementation, the Authority remains deeply concerned about key aspects of the Plan’s delivery.
There will be a shortfall of water for the environment as set in the Basin Plan.
With 16 key SDLAM projects unlikely to be operable by 30 June 2024, the Authority estimates a shortfall in water recovery of between 190 and 315 gigalitres.
Very little progress has been made in achieving the 450 GL/y efficiency target, and this water will not be recovered by 30 June 2024 as required under current settings.
Only 5 of 20 water resource plans in New South Wales (NSW) have been accredited. These plans are more than 4 years behind schedule, and NSW still has 7 plans to submit for assessment by the MDBA. Accreditation of these plans brings the Basin Plan into on-ground action and ensures they can be assessed for compliance.
Critical measures for improving outcomes in the Northern Basin will not be delivered on time. Only 2 of 6 are on track for delivery by 30 June 2024. The remaining 4 measures are expected to take longer, delaying the achievement of environmental outcomes.
While these numbers help track our progress towards implementation, the Basin Plan is about much more. It is about delivering outcomes that provide healthy rivers, floodplains and ecosystems in ways that take into account socio-economic considerations.
Ten years ago the Australian Government, and the governments of NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and the ACT, made a world-leading commitment to a healthy future for the Basin.
Implementation of the Basin Plan is at a critical juncture. It is important that the challenges inhibiting the full delivery of the Basin Plan are quickly addressed to provide a clear pathway forward.
With a changing climate, implementing the Basin Plan remains central to giving our rivers and the communities that depend on them the best chance of a healthy future. Our best chance to deliver rivers, for generations.
Read the Authority Advice to the Hon Tanya Plibersek, Minister for the Environment and Water at Authority statements.
ENDS
Contact the MDBA media office at media@mdba.gov.au or 02 6279 0141