The meeting followed a 2-day Basin Leadership Summit where First Nations people, agricultural, industry, environmental, science and community leaders came together to collaborate on the future of the Basin. The Authority expressed its thanks to the 115 attendees for their goodwill and constructive discussions, and eagerness to continue to work together as we continue preparations for the Basin Plan Review.
While leaders brought a diversity of perspectives, the Authority welcomed the Summit’s identification of key areas of common ground – the desire for a healthy Basin, better outcomes for First Nations people, and vibrant Basin communities. The Hon Tanya Plibersek Minister for the Environment and Water attended to hear and respond to the outcomes of the Summit. The MDBA will soon publish a report on the Summit outcomes, and the Authority intends to provide a response.
Informed by the Summit discussions, the Authority members discussed the further development of the Early Insights Paper, to be released at the upcoming River Reflections conference. The Early Insights Paper will share the Authority’s views on key issues of focus ahead of the 2026 Basin Plan Review.
The Authority also received an update from the Chair of ACSEES on the recent Advisory Committee on Social, Economic and Environmental Sciences meeting. The Authority also received an update on work to reset the MDBA’s First Nations engagement and relationships in the Basin.
Briefings were provided on key water management and water quality issues. The Authority noted MDBA continues to work with WaterNSW in tailoring release configurations from Hume Dam to manage dissolved oxygen and manganese concentrations downstream. New South Wales continues to manage releases from Menindee Lakes to support water quality upstream of Weir 32.
In closing the meeting, members noted the continued work of MDBA and Basin States to manage storages and meet system demands.
- Sir Angus Houston (Chair)
- Professor Stuart Bunn
- Dr Jane Doolan
- Ms Roseanne Healy
- Mr Rene Woods
- Ms Susan Madden
- Mr Andrew McConville (Chief Executive)
END