Members recognised the appointment of Senator the Hon Murray Watt as Minister for the Environment and Water. Members reinforced the Authority’s commitment to continue the productive relationships with all levels of government to implement the Basin Plan in full and deliver enduring outcomes for Basin communities, the environment and economy through the review of the Basin Plan and the operation of the River Murray System.
The Authority received a briefing from the Inspector-General of Water Compliance (IGWC), Hon Troy Grant, including an update on the inquiry into the Northern Basin Toolkit. Members welcomed continued engagement with the IGWC on compliance matters and shared priorities for the 2026 Basin Plan Review, including sustainable diversion limit (SDL) accounting, monitoring and evaluation, and regulatory design.
The Authority met with members of the First Nations Leadership Group supporting the Sustainable Rivers Audit and the Basin Outlook. Discussions centred on cultural knowledge and connections to Water Country, and the importance of First Nations-led thinking in shaping the health and future of Basin systems.
The Authority endorsed nominations for First Nations membership on the Advisory Committee on Social, Economic and Environmental Sciences (ACSEES), strengthening representation and cultural leadership in MDBA advisory processes.
The Authority considered progress on the 2026 Basin Plan Review, including feedback from Basin state officials and updates to the 2025 Basin Plan Evaluation, which is informed by multiple lines of evidence, and new and existing data. Members noted reports to be published alongside the Basin Plan Evaluation, including:
- the Sustainable Rivers Audit,
- the 2025 Review of Water Quality Objectives and Targets in the Basin Plan, and
- the review of social and economic impacts of the Basin Plan, which draws on evidence from Basin communities to inform future water policy.
The Basin Plan Evaluation will be released mid-year, following consultation with Basin governments.
Members discussed key policy issues as they continue preparations for the Basin Plan review. The Authority discussed the new purpose of the Basin Plan, to better account for the interests of First Nations Peoples, water quality, critical human water needs, connectivity in the Northern Basin and the importance of integrated catchment management to Basin Plan outcomes.
The Authority received briefings from Dr Simon Banks, the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH), Ms Lyn O’Connell, Head of Division, Deputy Secretary, at the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), and noted a verbal update on proposed amendments to Schedule D of the Murray–Darling Basin Agreement.
Members were updated on progress of approvals for funding for the Joint Programs in 2025–26 and beyond, which supports the delivery and maintenance of water infrastructure assets and operations in the River Murray system. Members stressed the importance of adequate funding to address asset risks identified, to support ongoing maintenance and investment in future asset replacement.
The Authority discussed current water resource availability across the Basin and pressures felt by communities in South Australia and Victoria experiencing prolonged dry periods. Members noted the contrasting experience for communities in the northern Basin where recent flooding across Queensland and northern New South Wales is expected to contribute significant inflows arriving in Menindee Lakes.
While storages across the Basin continued to fall in Autumn, members noted total system storage levels of 44% in the River Murray system were broadly in line with historical averages.
Members received an update from the Chief Executive and Executive Directors on a range of operational matters.
Mr Daryl Quinlivan (Chair)
Mr Andrew McConville (Chief Executive)
Ms Allison Mudford
Ms Belinda Duarte
Dr Jane Doolan
Mr Rene Woods
Ms Roseanne Healy
Professor Stuart Bunn