We all benefit from a healthy environment. The Murray–Darling Basin is home to more than 2 million people and more than 50 First Nations. It supports 120 waterbird species and more than 50 native fish species. It contains internationally protected wetlands and trees that are hundreds of years old.
This environment needs water to be able to support people, plants and animals.
Having enough water means a healthy river system where:
- Birds from as far away as the Arctic have a refuge and breeding place.
- Fish breed and move through the rivers triggered by ebbs and flows.
- Birds cross the landscape pollinating plants and eating insects.
- Aquatic plants filter water and keep it clean.
- Vegetation helps to control erosion.
- Locals and tourists can enjoy bird watching, fishing, bush walking, camping, swimming and boating.
‘Water for the environment’ is used to improve the health of our rivers, wetlands and floodplains. Water is allocated to federal and state environmental water holders across the Basin, who make decisions about when, where and how much water is released for the environment, and with measurable environmental outcomes in mind.
Over time, our rivers have changed
Natural droughts and the increasing demand for water means a decline in the health of the river system. In some locations we take up to 50% of water for domestic, industrial and agricultural use.
Water used to flow over the landscape with natural high flows in winter and low flows in summer. Now we store water and release it from dams when we need it. This impacts the ecosystem and processes needed for healthy plants and animals.
Less water moving through the system causes problems like:
- increased salinity
- outbreaks of algae
- loss of native animals due to destruction of breeding spots and food sources
- loss of vegetation, like River Red gums and grasses, which affects water quality and native animals looking for food and shelter.
Improving the health of the system
There are a number of priorities and strategies that help us and our partners make decisions about how to use water for the environment across the Basin. We consider the health of the entire Basin, alongside regional considerations; and our plans are aimed at both the short and long-term needs of the system.
From the overarching Basin-wide strategy through to annual plans for individual sites, we and our partners prioritise watering across the basin to help achieve long-term environmental outcomes.
Last updated: 29 April 2025