The Basin Plan
Healthy rivers, strong communities and sustainable food and fibre production in the Murray-Darling Basin can only be achieved through water reform.
The Department is responsible for the Water for the Future initiative that supports this reform. This includes investments in water-saving infrastructure, easing environmental flow delivery constraints, options for works and measures, and water purchases to achieve more efficient outcomes for the environment.
The Basin Plan provides an integrated and strategic framework for water reform, consistent with the requirements of the Water Act. The independent Murray-Darling Basin Authority developed the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. To view the plan go to to the Authority's website .
Supporting reform in the Basin
Some water currently used for human purposes in the Murray-Darling Basin is being recovered and returned to the environment. More information is in the Environmental Water Recovery Strategy
Water recovered through Water for the Future becomes Commonwealth environmental water.
Through the Water for the Future initiative, the Australian Government is investing in the Murray-Darling Basin to improve the efficiency of irrigation networks and on-farm infrastructure, recover water for the environment and explore additional environmental works and measures.
Key publications
- Fact sheet: Planning and use of Commonwealth environmental water
- Fact sheet: Sustainable Diversion Limit (SDL) adjustment mechanism
- Fact sheet: Australian Government investment in enhanced environmental outcomes
- Fact sheet: Environmental flow delivery constraints
- Basin case studies: the socio-economic impacts of sustainable diversion limits and Water for the Future investments - An assessment at a local scale
Your questions answered
Frequently asked questions on water reform in the Murray-Darling Basin.
Basin Plan programs
Information about Australian Government programs to recover water in the Murray-Darling Basin.
Videos
Murray-Darling Basin Plan
The Australian Government has delivered a historic plan to better meet the future water needs of the environment, communities and industry in the vital Murray-Darling Basin. >> Watch Video
Basin Plan
Find out more about the Basin Plan.
Resources
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Water websites
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Publications
- Fact sheet: Planning and use of Commonwealth environmental water
- Basin case studies: the socio-economic impacts of sustainable diversion limits and Water for the Future investments - An assessment at a local scale
- Fact sheet: Sustainable Diversion Limit (SDL) adjustment mechanism
- Fact sheet: Australian Government investment in enhanced environmental outcomes
- Fact sheet: Environmental flow delivery constraints
Water information hotline
1800 218 478
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