The Basin Plan
Water reform is needed in the Murray-Darling Basin to deliver healthy rivers, strong communities and sustainable food production.
The Department is responsible for the Water for the Future initiative that supports this reform. This includes investments in water-saving infrastructure and water purchases, and options for works and measures to achieve more efficient or effective outcomes for the environment.
Development of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan is the responsibility of the independent Murray-Darling Basin Authority . Go to the Authority's website to view the draft plan.
Water for the Future supporting reform in the Basin
Some water currently used for human purposes in the Murray-Darling Basin needs to be recovered and returned to the environment.
Through the Water for the Future initiative, the Australian Government has committed more than $9 billion in the Murray-Darling Basin to 2019 to improve the efficiency of irrigation networks and on-farm infrastructure, and explore additional environmental works and measures. » More...
Water recovered through Water for the Future becomes Commonwealth environmental water.
Key reports and publications
- Draft Murray-Darling Basin Plan – go to the Murray-Darling Basin Authority website
- Delivering a healthy working Basin: Supporting communities, industry and the environment
- The importance of water reform in the Murray-Darling Basin
- Restoring river health in the Murray-Darling Basin: Commonwealth Environmental Water
Your questions answered
Frequently asked questions on water reform in the Murray-Darling Basin.
Facts and figures
This page corrects misreported and incorrect statements made in the media.
Basin Plan programs
Information about Australian Government programs to recover water in the Murray-Darling Basin.
Videos
Environmental watering in the Murrumbidgee River
More than 160 gigalitres of environmental water was released into the Murrumbidgee River in New South Wales in June 2011. >>Watch Video
Draft Basin Plan
Find out more about the draft Basin Plan.
Resources
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Water websites
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Publications
- Fact sheet: Environmental water
- Fact sheet: Water recovery to 'bridge the gap'
- Fact sheet: Water-saving infrastructure
- Fact sheet: Environmental works and measures
- The importance of water reform in the Murray-Darling Basin
- Delivering a healthy working Basin: Supporting communities, industry and the environment
- Inquiry into the impact of the Guide to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan
- Restoring river health in the Murray-Darling Basin: Commonwealth Environmental Water
- Moving water long distances: Grand schemes or pipe dreams?
Water information hotline
1800 218 478
(toll free)