About Commonwealth environmental water

What is Commonwealth environmental water

As part of Murray-Darling Basin reforms, the Australian Government is acquiring water entitlements with the objective of returning more water to the environment. These entitlements become part of the Commonwealth environmental water holdings and are managed so that increased flows are provided to rivers and wetlands.

The water is acquired through direct buybacks of water entitlements from irrigators as well as savings from infrastructure upgrades. This primarily occurs through the following programs:

How much is there?

As at 31 May 2013, the Commonwealth environmental water holdings totalled 1,588,313 ML of registered entitlements.

For more information see:

Figures as at 30 April 2013 - full details of current Commonwealth environmental water holdings registered entitlements available on the other pages in this section.

How is Commonwealth Environmental Water being used?

The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder is required to use its holdings to protect or restore environmental assets of the Murray-Darling Basin, and other areas outside the Basin where the Commonwealth holds water, so as to give effect to relevant international agreements.

Water that is held in the Murray-Darling Basin is required to be managed in accordance with the environmental watering plan, part of the Basin Plan being developed by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority in consultation with state governments and stakeholders.

For more details see:

How much Commonwealth environmental water has been delivered?

As at 31 May 2013, over 2,423 gigalitres of Commonwealth environmental water has now been delivered to rivers, wetlands and floodplains of the Murray-Darling Basin. Commonwealth environmental water has been delivered together with an additional 996 gigalitres contributed by State governments, the Living Murray program and from private donations.

For more information see:

Water Availability and Water Use 2008-09 to 2012-13

The figure below shows water availability and water use as at 30 June each year from 2008-09 to 2011-12, and as at 31 May for 2012-13.

Figures as at 30 June each year from 2008-09 to 2011-12 - full details of current Water Availability and Water Use available on other pages in this section.