CANBERRA, ACT, Sept. 5 -- Murray-Darling Basin Authority issued the following news release:
The BOC attended field trips on 14 and 15 August throughout the Menindee and Broken Hill region of NSW, on the lands of the Barkandji People.
During the field trips, the BOC met with staff from the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development - Fisheries and WaterNSW. The BOC also met with representatives from the Australian Floodplain Association, Wentworth Shire Council, Pastoralists Association of West Darling, and Sunset Strip Progress Association.
A regional member of the Basin Community Committee (BCC) attended the field trip and the BOC meeting. The Chair of the BCC provided an update covering the BCC's recent meetings, activities and current community views.
The BOC received an update from the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH) on environmental water. The update outlined the status of Commonwealth environmental water holdings and highlights from use of environmental water in 2024-25. The BOC noted the CEWH had paused use of Commonwealth environmental water in NSW due to uncertainty around regulatory arrangements and noted the NSW government's commitment to seek to resolve these challenges as soon as possible. The BOC also discussed the recent lapsing of seven water sharing plans in NSW and noted that there are still mechanisms to protect environmental water in the Barwon-Darling, should the need arise, despite additional complexities.
The BOC supported drafting of amendments to the Murray-Darling Basin Agreement for further consideration, to give effect to the Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism (SDLAM) supply measure, River Murray Increased Flows.
The BOC agreed to the amended Notification Statement for the SDLAM Riverine Recovery Project and formally recognised that the project is complete.
All members provided updates on the actions underway to implement the Basin Plan. Noting that the 30 June 2025 new supply project notification deadline has now passed, the BOC will prioritise consideration of amendments and the withdrawal of supply projects, which are due by 30 June 2026.
The BOC noted the Joint Programs2026-27 budget approval timeline.
The BOC discussed the 2023-24 North South Connectivity Trial including trial arrangements and assurance reporting moving forward. The final assessment is to be provided back to the Committee by the end of 2025.
Members noted the substantial progress made in Phase 1 of the Menindee review (the review). The BOC agreed that the MDBA will work with relevant stakeholders and governance structures to scope Phase 2 of the review.
The BOC committed to supporting Commonwealth efforts to refresh the Native Fish Recovery Strategy which will be informed by key findings from the recent Basin Plan Evaluation and Sustainable Rivers Audit.
The BOC noted verbal updates on upcoming statutory reviews of the Water Act 2007 (Cth) and the Inspector General of Water Compliance.
The BOC received a status update on the Integrated River Modelling Uplift Program, which has entered the 6-year Sustainment and Continuous Improvement Phase as of 1 July 2025.
BOC will next meet in November 2025, in Canberra, ACT.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
