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The Murray-Darling Basin Authority

About the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA)

The arrangements for a single Authority came into effect on 15 December 2008, when the powers and functions of the Murray-Darling Basin Commission were transferred to a new body called the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, and a new Ministerial Council as well Basin Officials Committee were also established.

The Authority is an expert, independent body accountable to the Commonwealth Minister, comprised of a chairperson and four members. The Authority has the necessary independence needed to prepare, implement and enforce the first ever, Basin-wide water resource management plan.

About the Murray-Darling Basin reform

The Federal Government has consistently supported a national approach to the management of the Murray-Darling Basin, as the government recognises that cooperation amongst all relevant governments to share water and co-manage natural resources in the Basin is critical.

Significant steps have been taken in establishing a national approach to managing the Basin. The Murray-Darling Basin Authority is preparing a new basin-wide plan to be implemented in 2011 that will set enforceable, sustainable limits on river and groundwater extractions to underpin sustainable industries, critical human water needs and better environmental outcomes.

Positive outcomes of  recent reforms include changes to the Commonwealth’s Water Act 2007 and the Murray-Darling Basin Agreement. These changes allow the provision of water for critical human needs as a priority and the development of arrangements to more effectively share water in the River Murray system during drought.

These historical reforms enable a new Federal-State partnership in the management of the Murray-Darling Basin’s water resources.

The Basin States have also referred constitutional powers over key aspects of water management to the Commonwealth Parliament. The Basin Plan which will be submitted for final approval to the Commonwealth Minister and the states will not have the ability to veto the changes proposed in the plan.