Having met with the Basin Community Committee (BCC) the day prior, Authority members reflected on the critical involvement of community and First Nations in Basin Plan implementation, reform and the forthcoming review in 2026. Led by Chair Rachel Kelly, the BCC impressed on the Authority the importance of community feedback and community led engagement on Basin Plan delivery, and the criticality for First Nation’s outcomes being led by First Nations people.
The Authority was grateful to receive the very useful community insights of BCC members which the Committee had also shared with the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for the Environment and Water at a meeting at Parliament House on 28 November. Authority members agreed engagement with community and the BCC would remain central to the planning and conduct of the 2026 Basin Plan Review, and would include biannual face-to-face meetings with BCC.
The Authority received updates from the Inspector-General of Water Compliance, the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder and the Bureau of Meteorology.
A status update on New South Wales Water Resource Plans (WRPs) was also provided.
The Authority discussed critical planning for the consideration of climate change impacts, risks and responses to be contemplated through the Basin Plan Review. Members agreed to adopt a mid-century planning horizon and the trajectory of change to 2050.
Progress was noted on the Murray–Darling Basin Sustainable Yields project with the Authority endorsing further engagement with the Independent Hydroclimate Science Expert Panel to deliver fit for purpose hydroclimate scenarios.
Members also received an update from Adjunct Professor Bill Young, Chair of the Advisory Committee on Social, Economic and Environmental Sciences (ACSEES), who advised that new and returning members had convened in Canberra for the first formal meeting on 28 November. The Authority welcomed the continued commitment of ACSEES to provide independent scientific and research advice and noted the introduction of Prof Sam Capon and Assoc Prof Avril Horne as new committee members.
MDBA Chief Executive Andrew McConville provided an update on current operational and strategic issues, along with an account of recent activities across the organisation.
The Authority noted passage of the Water Amendment (Restoring our Rivers) Bill 2023 through the Parliament. Members thanked Ms Lyn O’Connell, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water for her update and discussions on implementation which would be forthcoming with community and stakeholders.
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