Roadmap to future of the Murray-Darling Basin

Murray-Darling Basin Authority Chair Sir Angus Houston delivered the future ‘roadmap’ for the 2026 Plan review at the River Reflections Conference in Narrabri on Thursday, making it clear that everybody will have their say, but overall, the threat of climate change will take precedence over future decision-making for the Basin.

The significance of holding River Reflections at Narrabri in the Northern Basin was appreciated by local, regional, and international conference delegates who welcomed the opportunity to represent and express the views of surrounding communities.

According to Sir Angus’s address, the review will be prepared using the latest science and by listening to the community, First Nations people and groups.

“We have to do a lot of scientific research and analysis and navigate the best way forward to get the right balance between all the factors at play and the four things we must have at the front of our mind,” said Sir Angus.

“We’ll focus on four key themes: climate change, sustainable water limits, First Nations, and regulatory design.

“We have to bring all of that together.

“Climate change presents a big challenge, science will give us the best information on how to navigate climate going forward.

“And that will in a sense, set the scene for those other factors that we will enact in the review.”

MDBA Chair Sir Angus Houston delivers the Road Map to the 2026 Basin Plan Review.

Water sustains the basin’s agricultural industry, which contributes over $22 billion to the economy each year, and provides water to over 2.3 million Australians who depend on the crucial river system.

The Murray-Darling Basin Authority manages this large water system, delivering water allocations to entitlement holders, water for the environment, and water for communities, ensuring that the riverflow and basin remain healthy and thriving.

This will be the first review since the implementation of the Basin Plan in 2012 an will provide the MDBA with its next steps in water management.

“From now until 2026, we’ll gather and share information that will support the review,” said Sir Houston.

Water delegates looked forward to Sir Angus’ address at The Crossing Theatre, on day two of the River Reflections Conference, which followed a video-recorded message from Minister for the Environment and Water Tania Plibersek who stated her commitment to delivering the Basin Plan in full.

Part of this plan entails the buy back of water from water-licence holders to recover 49 gigalitres of ground and surface water back to the basin, including 9.5GL from the Namoi catchment.

“The minister told us that we must implement the plan, and everyone realises that she’s committed to delivering it,” said Sir Angus.

“She supported what I said this morning about the Basin Plan review, it is now out there, and everybody knows where we’re going with it.”