The Federal Government’s amendments to the Water Act which set the provision for an additional 450 gigalitres of environmental flow for the Murray-Darling, have passed the house of representatives.

 

The amendments passed with bi-partisan support after the Federal Government introduced an adjustment mechanism that would allow for a reduction to the original 2,750 gigalitres if environmental benefits were proven to be negligible.

 

 

Under amendments proposed by the Federal Opposition, final decision on the use of the mechanism will rest with the Minister, rather than the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA).

 

The passage of the Amendment will see the Federal Government roll out $1.77 billion in spending that will allow for significant improvements to existing infrastructure while easing capacity constraints that prevent 3,200 gigalitres from being flushed through the river system.