Australia's water
The Basin Plan
The Murray Darling Basin Authority developed the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. The Plan provides an integrated and strategic framework for water reform.
The document is available from www.mdba.gov.au .
The Australian Government is providing national leadership on the challenges of meeting future demand for water in a drying climate.
The Murray-Darling Basin Plan delivers on the Australian Government's commitment to restore the Basin's rivers and wetlands to health while supporting strong regional communities and sustainable food production.
Water Purchase Tender in southern New South Wales 2012-13
The water purchase tender in southern NSW has now closed for applications. The department is currently assessing those applications received and will advise applicants of the outcome once this process is complete.
Consultation Regulation Impact Statement on regulation of water market intermediaries open for comment
The Council of Australian Governments Standing Council on Environment and Water has released a Consultation Regulation Impact Statement on the regulation of water market intermediaries. The consultation period is open until COB Friday 7 June 2013.
Water purchasing tenders in the Queensland Lower Balonne 2012-13
On 13 November 2012 Water Minister Tony Burke announced three new water purchasing tenders in the northern Murray-Darling Basin. The third tender opened on 22 April 2013.
Strategic Water Purchase Initiative in Victoria 2012-13
On 17 March 2013 a new strategic water purchase initiative was announced in the Goulburn-Murray Irrigation District of Victoria, with a budget of up to $15 million.
Water Matters issue 27 now online
This issue of Water Matters looks at progress made in improving water efficiency through infrastructure investment. The consultation period for the draft Water Recovery Strategy has been extended; have your say by 18 March 2013.
Australia's 65th Ramsar Site announced
Piccaninnie Ponds Karst Wetlands in South Australia has been designated as a Ramsar site under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance.
Murray-Darling Basin Plan video
The Australian Government has delivered a historic plan to better meet the future water needs of the environment, communities and industry in the vital Murray-Darling Basin.
The Basin Plan
On 22 November 2012, Water Minister Tony Burke announced a final Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
Draft Environmental Water Recovery Strategy for the Murray-Darling Basin
The consultation period for the draft Environmental Water Recovery Strategy has now closed. The department is now considering the content of submissions received as part of the work to finalise the Strategy.
Amendments to the Water Regulations
The Water Regulations 2008 have been amended to support the implementation of the Basin Plan. The amendments: exclude and realign some areas of Basin water resources on the boundary of the Basin; enable the Commonwealth to accept certain risk assignment obligations relating to Queensland; and recognise more Victorian water resource plans as transitional water resource plans.
Amendments to the water market and charge rules
The Water Market Rules 2009 and the Water Charge (Termination Fees) Rules 2009 have been amended to address technical issues that arose during implementation. The amendments improve clarity for irrigation infrastructure operators and irrigators in the Murray-Darling Basin about how the rules operate.
New Aquatic Ecosystems Toolkit released
The Aquatic Ecosystems Toolkit has been prepared, in collaboration with states and territories, as a set of good practice tools designed to provide a nationally consistent framework for mapping and classifying aquatic ecosystems, identifying high ecological value aquatic ecosystems and assessing their ecological condition.
Indigenous cultural & spiritual values in water quality planning
This report presents 6 case studies of active Indigenous engagement in water quality management from around Australia.
National guidance for the management of acid sulfate soils in inland aquatic ecosystems
This guidance document for the management of acid sulfate soils (ASS) in inland aquatic ecosystems is designed to guide the identification and management of inland ASS to reduce or eliminate the risks they pose to the Australian environment and its economy.
Murray-Darling Basin Plan
Basin Plan released
The independent Murray-Darling Basin Authority has released the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
Progress towards meeting environmental needs under the Basin Plan
The Australian Government has already made progress towards proposed environmental water needs identified under the Murray-Darling Basin Authority's Basin Plan.
Inquiry into the impact of the Guide to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan
The Australian Government's response to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Australia's Report Of Drought and Flooding Rains: Inquiry into the impact of the Guide to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan in Regional Australia was tabled in Parliament on Thursday 24 November 2011. This Inquiry was chaired by Mr Tony Windsor MP.
Media releases, speeches and transcripts
- Media release: Strategic purchase program to offer options for irrigators - 17 March 2013
- Press conference: New matter of national environmental significance to national environmental law - 12 March 2013
- Media release: Greater protection for water resources - 12 March 2013
- Media release: Gillard Government supports irrigators - 13 February 2013
- Media release: Historic Murray-Darling Basin legislation passes parliament - 17 February 2012
More media releases
PHOTO CREDITS: Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities; Pelicans Lake Eyre Basin - Paul Wainwright; Lake Mulwala - John Baker; Weir - John Baker; Coorong and Lakes Alexandrina and Albert Ramsar site - Paul Wainwright
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Basin Plan
Find out more about the Basin Plan.
Education resources
Australian Water Education Resources
Water education resources for use in the classroom