Australia's water

The Basin Plan

The Australian Government and Basin state governments are working together to achieve a healthy working Basin by supporting river health, productive industries and sustainable communities. More about the Basin Plan.

Water for the Future is built on four key priorities:

Taking action on climate change
Securing water supplies
Using water wisely
Supporting healthy rivers

World Wetlands Day, 2 Feb 2012

The international theme for World Wetlands Day 2012 is Wetlands and Tourism - a great experience. Find World Wetlands Day events near you, read the 2012 edition of Wetlands Australia and access great wetlands materials.

Water Matters issue 14 now online

In this issue we look at the Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project stage 2, environmental flows at the Snowy river, the historic Mardi-Mangrove Pipeline Link, the Department's new social media applications and more...

Formation of a Lake Eyre Basin Rivers Assessment Consortium

Expressions of interest are invited from interested research institutions, regional organisations, non-government organisations and industry players to form a consortium, in partnership with the Australian, QLD, SA and NT Governments.

2011-12 Restoring the Balance in the Murray-Darling Basin water entitlement purchases.

To date three water entitlement purchase tenders have been conducted in the northern Basin, two in the Queensland Lower Balonne, and one in the Namoi and Queensland and NSW Border Rivers. These have all closed and there are no other current tenders open.

Draft Basin Plan released

The independent Murray-Darling Basin Authority has released the draft Murray-Darling Basin Plan.

Inquiry into the impact of the Guide to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan

The Australian Government's response to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Australia's Report Of Drought and Flooding Rains: Inquiry into the impact of the Guide to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan in Regional Australia was tabled in Parliament on Thursday 24 November 2011. This Inquiry was chaired by Mr Tony Windsor MP.

Video - Environmental flows being released into the Snowy River

Billions of litres of water were released into the Snowy River for the environment last month. A video demonstrating the impressive scale of the release is now online.

Discussion paper – Trading of Commonwealth environmental water

Trade of Commonwealth environmental water is an important management option that will assist in improving the capacity of the Commonwealth environmental water holdings to meet environmental objectives. In order to help inform the development of water trading arrangements, a discussion paper on trading Commonwealth environmental water has been released for public comment. Responses to the discussion paper are sought by 27 April 2012.

Northern Victorian Irrigation Renewal Project

The Australian and Victorian governments have signed a new contract for Stage 2 of the $1.2 billion Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project (NVIRP2), the project is the largest Australian Government investment in irrigation infrastructure and will produce 214 gigalitres in water savings.

Stormwater Harvesting and Reuse Projects: Third Competitive Grants Round

The Australian Government is calling for applications for funding to support eligible stormwater harvesting and reuse projects under the National Urban Water and Desalination Plan: stormwater harvesting and reuse grants round.

Webcam of Commonwealth environmental watering in the Murrumbidgee River

More than 150 gigalitres of water recovered for the environment is being used to provide river flows along the Murrumbidgee River, and will benefit the Murray system as far downstream as South Australia's Lower Lakes and Coorong.

National guidance for the management of acid sulfate soils in inland aquatic ecosystems

This guidance document for the management of acid sulfate soils (ASS) in inland aquatic ecosystems is designed to guide the identification and management of inland ASS to reduce or eliminate the risks they pose to the Australian environment and its economy.

Strengthening Basin Communities: Water Saving Initiatives component Round 2

The Water Minister has announced 'in-principle' approval for more than $34 million to 24 applicants under the second round of the Water Saving Initiatives component of the Strengthening Basin Communities program.

Termination fee rules amended to address GST issue

Amendments have been made to the Water Charge (Termination Fees) Rules 2009 to allow irrigation infrastructure operators in the Murray-Darling Basin to add GST to termination fees.

Water infrastructure charge rules

New rules have been made under the Water Act 2007 to regulate charges levied by water infrastructure operators in the Murray-Darling Basin.

Murray-Darling Basin Plan

Communiqué - Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Forum

Ministers from across the Murray-Darling Basin met in Sydney on 1 April 2011 to progress a collaborative and inclusive approach for governments and communities to develop and implement a plan for the Basin in which a healthy river system underpins strong and viable communities.

Progress towards meeting environmental needs under the Basin Plan

The Australian Government has already made progress towards proposed environmental water needs identified under the Murray-Darling Basin Authority's Guide to the Basin Plan.

Assessing the regional impact of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan and the Water for the Future Program

The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics has assessed the combined regional impact of the Guide to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan and the Australian Government's Water for the Future Program.

PHOTO CREDITS: Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities; Pelicans Lake Eyre Basin - Paul Wainwright; Lake Mulwala - John Baker; Weir - John Baker; Coorong and Lakes Alexandrina and Albert Ramsar site - Paul Wainwright

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For up-to-date information about the Water for the Future initiative.

Draft Basin Plan
Find out more about the draft Basin Plan.

Education resources

Australian Water Education Toolkit

Water education resources for use in the classroom

Water for the Future

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