CANBERRA, ACT, Sept. 9 -- Murray-Darling Basin Authority issued the following news release:
Members met with representatives from NSW on issues relevant to the MDBA including funding for the Joint Programs ageing asset base and the current Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) determinations, progress on Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism (SDLAM) projects, status of Water Resource Plans and environmental water deliveries.
The Authority was advised on the progress made with the Reconnecting River Country for the Murrumbidgee River and the next steps for the Menindee SDLAM project. The Authority was also advised on the temporary pause on some environmental water deliveries whilst metering and measurement equipment is being installed and NSW Government are progressing urgent regulatory amendments.
Members received an update on the progress of the Basin Plan Review work program including relevant outcomes from a workshop with Senior Officials from the states and Commonwealth where key policy positions were considered, and from discussions with staff of the Inspector General of Water Compliance.
Members endorsed the Sustainable Diversion Limits Assessment Framework for assessing Sustainable Diversion Limits (SDLs) and approved the initial assessments of 17 groundwater SDL resource units for inclusion in the Basin Plan Review Discussion Paper to be available for consultation in early 2026.
In the meeting, members heard from the Sustainable Rivers Audit/Outlook First Nations Leadership Group and received an update from Rachel Kelly, Chair of the Basin Community Committee.
The River Modernisation team provided an update on the progress of the Joint Programs Menindee Review. Members expressed their strong support for the Review and were encouraged by the ongoing support of the Basin Officials Committee for the Review.
The Authority approved the amendment of the SDLAM Register of Measures which will be updated on the MDBA website and agreed the SDL accounting assessment of incomplete recovery for adjustment of the Registers of Take for 2024-25.
Members noted that dry conditions continue in the Murray and while storages had risen in winter, they remain slightly below the long-term average for this time of year. In contrast, the Northern Basin has had above average rainfall, with a further 400 to 600 gigalitres expected to flow into Menindee Lakes by the end of October.
Mr Daryl Quinlivan (Chair)
Mr Andrew McConville (Chief Executive)
Professor Stuart Bunn
Dr Jane Doolan
Ms Belinda Duarte AM
Ms Roseanne Healy
Ms Allison Mudford
Mr Rene Woods
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
