The federal government has struck a deal with the ACT and state governments to return water promised under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan to the environment, but two to three years later than initially planned.
The 12-year plan to restore the nation’s largest and most complex river system, which runs through four states and dozens of towns and cities, was created in 2012 after years of overuse and the devastating millennium drought.
The initial target was to recover 450 gigalitres of water earmarked for the environment by June 2024; this has been pushed out until the end of 2027, and water infrastructure projects until the end of 2026.
The Murray-Darling Basin Authority advised there would be a shortfall of 750 gigalitres – about one-quarter of the target – by June 2024.
The new plan – which limits the amount of water extracted from the basin – includes more options and funding to deliver the remaining water, such as through voluntary buybacks.
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said the agreement struck between the federal government and NSW, South Australian, Queensland and ACT governments came at a crucial time with the next drought “just around the corner”.
“What we’re proposing is more time, more money, more options and more accountability,” she told reporters in Sydney on Tuesday.
The minister said voluntary water buybacks would complement the infrastructure projects and that all options remained on the table.
ACT Government response
Shane Rattenbury, ACT Minister for Water, welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement that they had reached an agreement to implement the Murray Darling Basin Plan in full.
“Like so many Australians, I want to see a healthy Murray-Darling River system that supports a diversity of life, restores significant ecological and cultural sites, and demonstrates what can be achieved through collaboration and world leading environmental stewardship,” said Mr Rattenbury.
“The lack of meaningful progress over the past decade has been deeply frustrating and disappointing, especially for those living alongside the river and for First Nations peoples with an ongoing connection to these lands and waters.
“It is promising to see the commitment of the current Federal Government to delivering the Murray-Darling Basin Plan in full. The ACT Government remains strongly supportive of delivering the Plan. Given the lack of progress to date, delays in delivering major commitments in the Plan are now unavoidable. Our focus must now turn to getting on with the job of delivering the Plan with renewed focus and determination.
“I strongly believe there must be increasing accountability and transparency as the Plan is implemented, through enhanced auditing, reporting and independent oversight. I will continue to advocate for greater accountability as the Plan is implemented, and as the upcoming review of the Plan progresses, and for the delivery of cultural flows and greater participation of First Nations peoples in river management and decision making.
“The Murray-Darling River system is the life blood of Australia and is vital for so many communities and so many species. We will continue to cooperate to improve the health of this important, and highly degraded, river system and to deliver the best possible outcomes for Basin communities.”
Victoria, which has previously opposed water buybacks, is the only basin government not to sign up to the new plan.
Victorian Water Minister Harriet Shing said nothing in the new deal changed that, and the state supported the return of water to the environment but only if it met the agreed socio-economic requirements.
But Ms Plibersek said her door remained open and there were significant benefits for the state to sign.
