The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) has proposed amendments to the Murray–Darling Basin Plan.

The MDBA wants the Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Anne Ruston to consider changes including:

  • a reduction to the water recovery target in the north of the Basin, from 390 GL to 320 GL
  • changes to the allowable level of take in three groundwater areas (Eastern Porous Rock, NSW; Western Porous Rock, NSW; Goulburn–Murray; Victoria)
  • minor practical improvements to enable effective and consistent implementation of the Basin Plan.

The authorities say the amendments were formed out of the Northern Basin Review, which featured consultations with hundreds of community members as well as environmental, Aboriginal, industry and community stakeholders.

The Murray–Darling Basin Ministerial Council communique is accessible here.

The Minister has 12 weeks to consider the recommendation before either tabling the amendment or returning it to the MDBA with suggested changes for consideration.

The MDBA is also recommending a separate amendment to the water recovery target in the south of the Basin, through the Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism, before 15 December 2017.

More information about the proposed Basin Plan amendments is available here.