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The Basin is a complex, diverse and dynamic system of waterways. It is constantly changing in response to the influences of people, climate and the way water is used for production, communities and the environment. The Basin Plan was introduced to help restore a healthy and productive Basin and will take many years to achieve.

Water entitlements for the environment are used by environmental water holders to improve the health of our rivers, wetlands and floodplains and the plants and animals who depend on these for their survival. They are now a permanent part of water management in the Basin.

The 2020 Evaluation Framework sets out the overarching approach to the Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) led evaluation of the effectiveness of the Basin Plan.

The annual Water Take report 2019–20 reports the availability and use of water from the Murray–Darling Basin based on states reporting under the sustainable diversion limits.

The 2020 Basin Plan Evaluation shows the Basin Plan is achieving positive outcomes – measurable environmental outcomes have been observed at the Basin-scale, along with some good local projects involving communities and industries.

The 2020 Basin Plan Evaluation and recent reviews highlight an urgent need for targeted and focused support for communities in the Basin, particularly smaller, irrigation-dependent and remote communities. This requires meaningful engagement to customise support and provide improved information.

We recommended amendments to the Basin Plan. The amendments became law in July 2018. The amendments related to the northern Basin, groundwater and some minor practical changes.

We recommended amendments to the Commonwealth Water Minister on 9 November 2017. The Minister adopted these amendments, and they became law in July 2018.

Every 5 years, the Murray–Darling Basin Authority is required to review the effectiveness of the water quality targets in contributing to the achievement of the Basin Plan’s water quality objectives. This is the first review of its kind since the Basin Plan came into effect in 2012.

Every 5 years the Murray–Darling Basin Authority takes stock of the Basin Plan and how it is being implemented to determine what’s working, what’s not and where improvement is needed. Key findings and recommendations for the 2020 Basin Plan Evaluation are outlined below.