Authority Chief Executive, Phillip Glyde, and Independent Panel member Allan Holmes said the review recommendations were a solid basis for a stronger and more effective compliance regime across the Basin, and would require action from Basin states and the MDBA.
“The illegal take of water is theft—and both reports have found that state regulators must play a more active and assertive role in policing it,” Mr Glyde said.
“We know there are many irrigators across the Basin who do the right thing and abide by the rules—and they deserve to have confidence that their commitment to compliance is not being undermined by those who are breaking the law.
“Our review found that Basin states—particularly New South Wales and Queensland—must do more to increase the robustness, transparency and consistency of compliance and enforcement across the Basin.
“Of particular importance is the implementation of a ‘no meter, no pump’ policy, more transparency of compliance activities, and a more comprehensive suite of penalties that are actually used rather than just sitting on the shelf.
“The Independent Panel says the MDBA needs to be more assertive. This starts today. We’re committed to acting on all of the recommendations and actions in the Review that are within our remit,” Mr Glyde said.
Mr Holmes said the Independent Panel supported all of the recommendations in the MDBA report and added some of its own.
”We are calling for greater commitment and goodwill from all those involved in implementing the Basin Plan,” Mr Holmes said.
“The 30 June 2019 deadline for revising state water resource plans must be kept, and these plans must ensure that rules are in place to ensure the adequate protection of environmental flows.
“We can’t allow a situation where taxpayer funds are used to recover water for the environment only to have that water extracted further downstream because of a lack of resolve.”
Mr Glyde said that while Basin states would and should remain the primary regulatory authorities, the MDBA would be assertive in escalating matters and exercising its own compliance powers if insufficient action was taken by state authorities.
“All Australians must be able to have trust and confidence in the MDBA’s handling of compliance matters—so we will be more transparent and consistent in how we handle allegations of non-compliance. We will be revising our compliance and enforcement strategy and framework, providing a clear escalation pathway, and reporting publically and regularly on handling and progress of compliance matters.”
The MDBA thanks members of the independent expert panel—Allan Holmes, Abel Immaraj and Eamonn Moran PSM QC—for their work in undertaking the review.
The review is available on the MDBA’s website at www.mdba.gov.au/basin-plan-roll-out/basin-wide-compliance-review. The MDBA will report on its progress in implementing the review’s recommendations and actions via its website.
ENDS
For more information, contact the MDBA Media office at media@mdba.gov.au or 0407 054 234
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