The full implementation of the Murray Darling Basin Plan will not be achieved by the June 30 deadline next year, the Murray–Darling Basin Authority, confirmed in an official communique on Tuesday.
“The Murray–Darling Basin Authority met on July 24 in person on Ngunnawal Country,” the communique said.
“The meeting was chaired by Sir Angus Houston.
“The Authority welcomed the opportunity to meet with the Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek.
The Authority provided the Minister its advice on the current state of Basin Plan implementation.
“The Authority advised there is no possibility that under current settings full implementation of the Basin Plan can be achieved by June 30, 2024.
“The Authority considered that ongoing commitment by all Basin governments to implement the Basin Plan in full remains central to giving our rivers the best chance of a healthy future.
“The Authority approved the 2023 Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism Assurance Report. With 16 of the supply and constraints projects unlikely to be operable by June 30, 2024, the Authority estimates a shortfall of between 190 and 315 gigalitres on the expected 605 gigalitres contribution.
“This important report has been published alongside the mid-year Basin Plan Report Card, which provides an update on the progress in implementing the Basin Plan.
“Executive director of river management, Andrew Reynolds provided an update on current water resource availability highlighting that the volume of water in storage for the whole-of-Basin remains high overall for this time of the year at 93 per cent capacity.
“The Bureau of Meteorology’s latest seasonal outlook indicates below median rainfall for coming months is likely for the Basin. The Authority was advised that Dartmouth and Hume Dams are being carefully managed to balance downstream flood mitigation against the priority for water storage.
“Members were briefed on the progress of assessment and resubmission of New South Wales Water Resource Plans (WRPs) that are yet to be accredited and operational.
“The Authority noted the NSW government’s commitment to deliver remaining WRPs and their commitment to progress consultation with First Nations commencing from September 2023.
“Members continued their discussion on the ongoing planning and progress for the Basin Plan Review including important work relating to hydroclimate and social and economic considerations and analysis.
Authority members finalised the submission to the Productivity Commission’s Murray–Darling Basin Plan: Implementation Review 2023.
“Members approved and agreed to publish the Sustainable Diversion Limits for the 2022-23 year and the Cap Register 2021-22. Members also received an update on the Independent Review of Proposed NSW Baseline Diversion Limits for Floodplain Harvesting: Barwon–Darling SDL Resource Unit. This work will be finalised and published in the coming months.
“Members received briefings from the Hon Troy Grant, inspector general water compliance and his team, Ms Lyn O’Connell, deputy secretary of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, and Dr Nick Austin and Rod Marsh of Watertrust Australia.”
To order photos from this page click here