The Australian Murray–Darling Basin Plan: challenges in its implementation (Part 2)

Abstract

The most recent major water reform in the Australian Murray–Darling Basin occurred in November 2012 with the development of a new integrated water resources plan for the region (the Basin Plan). This occurred over a four-year period (2009–12). An equally challenging part of this reform is occurring now with the implementation of the Basin Plan between 2012 and 2024. This paper discusses the challenges in implementing the key tasks that must be completed in the longer term by 2024. A companion paper discusses the challenges in implementing the more immediate tasks that must be completed by June 2016.

Keywords:

• Murray–Darling Basin
• Australia
• Basin Plan implementation
• ecological restoration
• environmental watering
• climate change

Acknowledgements

This paper relied heavily on the many reports prepared by Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) staff. Their contributions to the development of the Basin Plan and its implementation are acknowledged. The author thanks James Horne, many MDBA staff members and colleagues from the Commonwealth Office of Water for their comments on earlier drafts of the paper.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1. See www.mdba.gov.au/.

2. See www.environment.gov.au/ewater; www.vewh.vic.gov.au/.

3. See www.mdba.gov.au/what-we-do/managing-rivers/water-trade/trading-rules/.

4. See www.accc.gov.au/regulated-infrastructure/water/water-trading-rules-advice-development/.

5. See http://freeflow.mdba.gov.au/category/social-and-economic-analysis/#.VcgSqEtNLfM/.

6. See www.mdba.gov.au/what-we-do/working-with-others/aboriginal-communities/cultural-flows/.

7. See www.mdba.gov.au/what-we-do/mon-eval-reporting/bp-effectiveness-report/bp-progress-reports-2013-14/bp-implementation/.

8. See www.mdba.gov.au/what-we-do/research-investigations/acsees/.

9. See www.mdba.gov.au/what-we-do/research-investigations/research-partnerships/.