There is broad support around Australia for placing the Murray-Darling Basin on a sustainable footing. Most people want to have the Basin Plan finalised and to achieve certainty about their future. Equally, most people want to create opportunities for improving the way we manage the Basin’s rivers, wetlands and floodplains. Most people support adaptive management with strong local involvement.
Nevertheless, there remain opposing views across the Basin on how the system’s water resources should be managed. Our responses to the views and concerns of the Basin stakeholders are summarised here.
An adaptive plan. The MDBA has responded to calls for a more flexible plan. It retains clear and strong standards for the Basin, but has a built in capacity so we can learn, adapt and continuously improve.
A robust starting point. The sustainable diversion limits (SDLs) for surface water are the most divisive element of the Basin Plan, with most stakeholders demanding greater or lesser quantities of water for the environment. The MDBA has determined that a water recovery target of 2,750 GL/y as a long-term average is still the right place to start. Expert peer review has confirmed this volume is an appropriate starting point to improve environmental resilience and support Basin communities and industries.
Conservative groundwater limits. Since the release of the draft Basin Plan, the MDBA has undertaken further analysis, reviewed submissions and convened an expert workshop. As a result, the total of groundwater SDL has been revised from 4,340 GL/y to 3,184 GL/y as a long term average. This reduction reflects a more conservative treatment of the risk factors associated with surface water connectivity and other factors.
Best available scientific and socio-economic analyses. Most of the criticisms of the MDBA’s scientific and socio-economic analyses were made to support a case for more or less water. The MDBA has not received any significant scientific or socio-economic data since releasing the draft plan that justifies a revision to surface water limits. We will continue in the years ahead to seek expert advice and community and Indigenous knowledge to improve the analyses at the heart of the Basin Plan.
The 2015 review.The MDBA has retained a 2015 review of the SDLs in the Basin Plan. The review is a key element for incorporating new information on climate change, environmental resilience, changes to river operations and socio-economic impacts of the Basin Plan. It is also central to the plan’s adaptive management framework. The MDBA believes that the 2015 review is the best means of maximising the opportunities of the transition to 2019, but we understand the importance of certainty and recognise that this issue is likely to be a topic for further discussion by Basin ministers.
The market-based approach to shared reductions. The plan promotes a flexible, market-based approach to achieving water recovery of the shared reduction in the Murray and Barwon-Darling—an approach that can be adapted as river operations change and environmental watering strategies are put in place. We consider that the benefits of this flexibility outweigh the disadvantages stemming from uncertainty about where reductions will occur. Nevertheless, this issue is also likely to be further discussed by Basin ministers.
Getting the most from environmental watering.The revised plan now includes the requirement for a Basin-wide environmental watering strategy that will identify longer-term and more detailed outcomes. The strategy will be regularly revised with experience and new information. This means the legal instrument retains its high-level objectives and coordinating function.
Adapting to climate change. The Basin Plan will implement a critical reform: return all systems in the Basin to environmentally sustainable levels of take under highly variable conditions. The plan is also an adaptive framework that can be adjusted as we gain more knowledge on climate trends across the Basin. There will always be more work to do to determine how climate change may affect water planning, and the MDBA will continue to work with climate experts and communities to maintain a healthy, working Basin into the future.
Localism is reaffirmed and strengthened. The concept of ‘localism’—engaging with regional communities to find local solutions to implementing the Basin Plan—has been hardwired into the draft plan, including into the monitoring and evaluation process and the Environmental Watering Plan. The MDBA will also set up advisory committees to provide formal avenues for connecting with regional groups and networks.
Recommendations
The Basin Plan builds on the 1992 Murray-Darling Basin Agreement, the 2004 National Water Initiative and the 2008 Intergovernmental Agreement on Murray-Darling Basin Reform, signed by the Australian Government and all Basin states. These agreements set out the governments’ obligations to manage the water, land and environmental resources of the Basin in a coordinated and sustainable manner. The Basin Plan sets in motion many, but not all, of these commitments. The linkages between the Basin Plan and other intergovernmental agreements are essential to the success of broader water reform strategies. Drawing on the issues raised by many stakeholders, the MDBA makes the following recommendations to governments.
River operations should become more efficient.The Basin states should complete as a priority a review of river operations to identify opportunities for water savings and improved environmental outcomes by 2015.
Investments in infrastructure deliver environmental returns over the long term.The Australian Government and Basin states should place an investment priority on infrastructure and environmental works that will lead to long-term efficiency gains and mitigate the social and economic impacts of water recovery.
Australia’s water market optimises the economic, social and environmental value of water.The Australian Government and Basin states should improve the efficiency of the water market and allow it to play its part in recovering the 2,750 GL/y of environmental water. Water trading provides many economic benefits to regions and local communities and, increasingly, to the environment.
The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder will be an influential player in the water market. The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder should publish forward business plans on how it will manage its portfolio of water products, and outline detailed information on future trading intent and community engagement strategies.
Local communities must be engaged.The Australian Government and Basin states should actively involve local communities in the decision-making processes that affect water and salinity management in their region. In particular, the management of environmental water could be devolved to local communities and groups.
Allocations for cultural flows. Governments should consider making specific allocations of environmental water available for cultural water purposes. Such allocations could be studied as part of a cultural flows research program.
Investment in environmental works and measures will boost environmental outcomes for the Basin. There are many opportunities to improve environmental outcomes through works and measures, but the MDBA singles out investment in works to increase the fresher flows into the southern lagoon of the Coorong, as well as improving the management of the Menindee Lakes System, as urgent priorities.
Communities must be supported through the transition.The MDBA strongly recommends that the Australian Government and Basin states support communities as the Basin Plan is implemented in a way that acknowledges the social and economic effects of water reforms and expands future economic development opportunities.
Environmental watering must be integrated into broader natural resource management. The Australian Government, Basin states, catchment management authorities and local governments need to continue working together to ensure that planning and management of environmental water is more closely integrated with broader natural resource management activities. The MDBA strongly encourages governments to continue supporting local and regional bodies in this task so that the benefits of reforming water use are not undermined by environmental degradation stemming from a lack of investment in natural resource management.
