CANBERRA, ACT, June 6 -- Murray-Darling Basin Authority issued the following news release:
The Basin Officials Committee (BOC) meeting 104 was hosted by the ACT Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate and held on 14 May 2025. It followed a field trip on 13 May 2025 in the Upper Murrumbidgee region of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.
During the field trip BOC met with: Chair of the ACT and Region Catchment Management Coordination Group, Maxine Cooper; Chair of the Upper Murrumbidgee Catchment Network, Andy Lowes; ACT Government Staff; representatives of Snowy Hydro; local landholders, Kate and Peter Gullett; Ngunnawal Traditional Custodian, Wally Bell; and Australian National University Professor, Jamie Pittock, to understand the challenges and initiatives underway to improve river health and water security in the upper Murrumbidgee.
A regional member of the Basin Community Committee (BCC) attended the field trip and provided an update on community views during the BOC meeting. The BOC began the meeting on 14 May by welcoming a presentation from the BCC and thanking them for their work on developing principles for improving transparency and collaboration:
* fair and inclusion for all people;
* transparent and open in the ways information is provided and decisions are made;
* ongoing, where engagement informs every stage of the review; and
* reciprocal with our information.
The BOC congratulated and welcomed new and returning members of the BCC. The BCC commented on recent work by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) on stakeholder perception and community engagement. The MDBA confirmed that they will be holding another Basin Leadership Summit in November 2025.
Under the Restoring our Rivers Act 2023 more time was provided for delivery of supply projects, including extending the timeframe by which states can bring forward new supply projects to 30 June 2025. With this due date approaching soon, the BOC has been prioritising consideration of new supply measures.
All members provided an update on steps being undertaken to implement the Basin Plan. This included a commitment to bring forward to BOC any new supply projects before the 30 June 2025 deadline for notifying new projects. The BOC will continue to prioritise consideration of any new projects brought forward between now and 30 June 2025 by agreeing to hold out of session meetings as required. The BOC also agreed to prioritise work on a common and coordinated approach to constraints projects in the Murray River.
The draft Northern Basin Toolkit Evaluation of Environmental Outcomes Interim Report was endorsed for publication. The BOC also noted the update on progress on the implementation of the Northern Basin Toolkit measures and the Northern Basin Toolkit Project Committee updated workplan. The report and updated workplan will be published and available online this financial year.
The BOC noted the Joint Programs 2025-26 to 2028-29 multi-year work plan and budget and agreed that it will be provided to the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council.
The BOC received the final draft report of the North South Connectivity Trial.
The BOC received an update on the Integrated River Modelling Uplift Program, which is on track to be completed by 30 June 2025; this will transition to six-year sustainment funding from 1 July 2025.
The BOC noted that the Independent Review of River Operations Group found the MBDA has met the requirements specified in the Objectives and Outcomes for river operations in the River Murray System for the 2023-24 water year. The report will be published on the MDBA website as soon as possible.
The BOC noted the progress on Phase 1 of the Menindee Review. The MDBA are in the process of developing a web page and a broader consultation program.
The BOC discussed progress by jurisdictions over the last two years in improving accountability for implementing the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
The BOC noted the water-related reviews to be undertaken over the next 3 years, focusing on matters for consideration under the Water Act 2007 (Cth) review, which is due for completion by December 2027.
The BOC noted the third independent statutory review of the Water for the Environment Special Account has commenced.
The BOC also noted an update from the MDBA on the Basin Plan Review.
BOC will next meet in August 2025, in Menindee, NSW.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
