The 2020 Basin Plan Evaluation Page a The 2020 Basin Plan Evaluation © Murray-Darling Basin Authority, on behalf of the Commonwealth of Australia 2020 Errata ISBN (print): 978-1-922396-18-1 Errors have been identified in the following; ISBN (online): 978-1-922396-17-4 • Figure 6 (p21) – graphic contains data for whole of MDBA publication number: 50/20 Australia instead of the Murray–Darling Basin. With the exception of the Commonwealth Coat of Arms, the MDBA logo, all photographs, graphics and trademarks, this • Figure 7 (p21) – graphic presents median flows publication is provided under a Creative Commons Attribution instead of mean (average) flows. 4.0 Licence. • Figure 29 (p75) – graphic includes data related to The MDBA’s preference is that you attribute this publication number of agricultural businesses irrigating. (and any materials sourced from it) using the following wording: These figures have been revised and updated in this current version of the document. The Basin Plan 2020 Evaluation Source: Licensed from the Murray-Darling Basin Authority under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Licence. Author: Murray-Darling Basin Authority The MDBA provides this information in good faith, but to the extent permitted by law, the MDBA and Commonwealth exclude all liability for adverse consequences arising directly or indirectly from using any information or materials contained with this publication. The MDBA makes its documents and information available in accessible formats. On some occasions the highly technical nature of the document means that we cannot make some sections fully accessible. If you have problems accessing the document please contact us. Contact details: email: [email protected] telephone: 1800 630 114 Please address any requests and inquiries to the: Chief Operating Officer Corporate Strategy and Services MDBA GPO Box 1801 Canberra ACT 2601 Images Front cover: River Murray at Hattah Lakes, Victoria Right: Fires on the Brindabella Ranges, Australian Capital Territory First Nations acknowledgement The Murray−Darling Basin Authority pays respect to the Traditional Owners and their Nations of the Murray− Darling Basin. We acknowledge their deep cultural, social, environmental, spiritual and economic connection to their lands and waters. The guidance and support received from the Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations, the Northern Basin Aboriginal Nations and our many Traditional Owner friends and colleagues is very much valued and appreciated. Aboriginal people should be aware that this publication may contain images, names or quotations of deceased persons. The 2020 Basin Plan Evaluation Acknowledgements The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) would like to thank numerous individuals and organisations who contributed to the development of the Basin Plan 2020 Evaluation. Advice, analysis and research was provided during planning, evaluation and review stages. The MDBA acknowledges and thanks the following individuals and consultants for their reasearch, feedback and advice: … Aither Pty Ltd … Andrew Kassebaum … Alluvium Group … Dr Heather McGinness, CSIRO … Aquasave-Nature Glenelg Trust … David McKenzie … Jack Archer, JSA Projects … Marsden Jacob Associates … Daren Barma, Barma Water Resources Consulting … Karlene Maywald Pty Ltd … Dr Deborah Peterson, Australian National University … Professor Lee Baumgartner, Charles Sturt University … Michelle Ramsay … Professor Nick Bond, La Trobe University … RMCG Consulting … Dr Neil Byron … Robbie Sefton … Dr Francis Chiew, CSIRO … Bruce Simpson … Greg Claydon … Professor Michael Stewardson, University of … Wendy Craik Melbourne … Eco Logical Australia Pty Ltd … Professor Ross Thompson, University of Canberra … Ecology Australia … Professor Poh-Lin Tan, Griffith University … Ethos Consulting … Shane Brooks Consulting … David Galeano, ABARES … Water’s Edge Consulting … Grosvenor Consulting … Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists … Jennifer Hale, Aquatic Ecology consultant … Professor Rob Vertessy … Professor Barry Hart, Monash University … Councillor Adrian Weston, Campaspe Shire Council … Dr Steve Hatfield-Dodds, ABARES … Rene Woods … Dr Sue Jackson, Griffith University Page i The MDBA also wishes to acknowledge institutions, advisory groups and communities of practice for providing input to this evaluation: … Advisory Committee on Social, Economic and … NSW Department of Primary Industries Environmental Sciences … NSW Office of Environment and Heritage … Australian Academy of Sciences … Organisation for Economic Cooperation and … Australian Bureau f Agricultural and Resource Development Economics and Sciences … Queensland Department of Environment and Science … Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research … South Australian Department for Environment and … Australian River Restoration Centre Water … Basin Community committee … South Australian Research and Development … Bureau of Meteorology Institute … Colorado State University, USA … United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific … Commonwealth Environmental Water Office Ultimately, responsibility for information provided … Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Water and views set out in this report is entirely the MDBA’s and the Environment and does not necessarily reflect the position of the … Commonwealth Interim Inspector-General of Water Australian Government or contributors. Compliance Geoscience Australia … Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority … La Trobe University … Mallee Catchment Management Authority … Murray-Darling Wetlands Group … Murray Lower Darling Indigenous National … Northern Basin Aboriginal Nations Page ii The 2020 Basin Plan Evaluation Foreword More than 20 years ago, a critical journey began to rebalance the scales and bring water use back to more sustainable levels in the Murray–Darling Basin. Our river environment – and therefore it’s communities and industries – were in trouble. All governments decided to act in the national interest. Together, we embarked on a bipartisan water reform journey not seen anywhere else in the world. The significance of that statement cannot be underestimated. While this massive reform – including the more recent Basin Plan – has been rolled out, many other factors have come into play, and compounded the impacts of change. Climate change, drought, technological change, the ageing workforce, a global pandemic and changing consumer trades are all taking their toll and some Basin communities feel like they’re no longer in control of their future. Having spent time working on a farm, I have lived through drought and the resulting uncertainty and am familiar with this unique feeling of vulnerability. While travelling and listening to Basin communities I have heard and seen these stories. This feeling of vulnerability concerns us all. Image: MDBA Chair, Sir Angus Houston AK, AFC (Ret’d) Page iii Image: Hume Dam on the River Murray, New South Wales You could be forgiven for wondering – is all this water This Evaluation is designed to give space to reflect, adjust reform worth it? Are we seeing the benefits? This and change as new information and science becomes Evaluation presents a good opportunity for us all to available and we learn more about sustainably managing reflect, review and adapt. the natural asset Basin communities rely on. Priority areas have been identified through the evaluation process and it We have come a long way. Working collaboratively, we’ve will take all Basin governments, communities and change set up the world’s first sustainable water management makers working together to maintain our momentum. system. We’ve got catchment-scale plans which guide how water is shared and used in each catchment. This Evaluation has made 12 recommendations to facilitate Compliance frameworks are in place to monitor water this progress and the MDBA has committed to 6 priority take activities to make sure it’s legal and fair. Also, a areas designed to increase collaboration and continue our significant portion of water has been recovered for the road of reform. environment and is being used for environmental benefit, We know drought, climate change and other factors are which ultimately benefits us all. taking their toll. The scale and pace of change presents The reform is working and needs to continue, but we challenges for adjustment, but it’s in Australia’s interest need to take every opportunity to reflect, learn and to rebalance the scales and create a sustainable long- adapt. We also need to keep our ears and eyes open to term footing for industries and communities and the how Basin communities and industries are faring. If they environment we live in. We must continue to work together felt they’ve been dealt out of their future, we need to to preserve one of Australia’s greatest natural assets. deal them back in. MDBA Chair, Sir Angus Houston AK, AFC (Ret’d) Page iv The 2020 Basin Plan Evaluation Charleville Cheepie Roma Chinchilla Brisbane QLD Toowoomba Cunnamulla St George N Goondiwindi 0 50 100 Kilometres Legend State borders Moree Basin border Rivers/creeks Towns & cities Capital cities outside of MDB Major water storages Brewarrina Wetlands & natural lakes Bourke Narrabri er g Riv Coonabarabran arlin Tamworth D Cobar Nyngan Wilcannia Broken Hill Dubbo SA Menindee NSW Ivanhoe Condobolin Orange Sydney Morgan Murray River Mildura Griffith bidge Renmark Murrum e River Adelaide Murray Bridge Goolwa Swan Hill Wagga Wagga Deniliquin Canberra Mu rray River Albury–Wodonga Echuca Shepparton Horsham