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
Wetlands Australia 2012 Survey
The Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities is looking for feedback on Wetlands Australia 2012. Your comments and feedback will be used to develop future editions of Wetlands Australia and ensure it continues to be a useful and effective publication. The survey closes midnight Friday 1 June 2012.
On Farm Irrigation Efficiency Program Round 3 now open for applications
The Australian Government is calling for applications as part of Water for the Future initiative for Round Three of the On-Farm Irrigation Efficiency Program. $100 million of funding will be available in Round Three. The program aims to assist eligible irrigators (represented by a delivery partner/consortium) in the southern connected system of the Murray-Darling Basin to modernise their on-farm irrigation infrastructure and return water to the environment. Round Three stage 1 applications are open until 26 July 2012.
2011-12 Restoring the Balance in the Murray-Darling Basin water entitlement purchases
Assessment of the select tender phase of the recent targeted water purchasing initiative conducted by the Government in the southern connected Murray-Darling has been completed and letters advising applicants of the outcome of their sell offer have been dispatched.
Water Matters issue 16 now online
This edition of Water Matters features the water initiatives covered in this year's Federal Government Budget.
2011-12 Restoring the Balance in the Murray-Darling Basin water entitlement purchases
Assessment of the select tender phase of the recent targeted water purchasing initiative conducted by the Government in the southern connected Murray-Darling has been completed and letters advising applicants of the outcome of their sell offer have been dispatched.
Commonwealth Environmental Water 2010-11 Outcomes Report
The Commonwealth Environmental Water 2010-11 Outcomes Report has been released by the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office.
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.
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.
Media releases, speeches and transcripts
- Transcript:Press conference: Murray-Darling Basin plan - 30 November 2011
- Transcript: Interview: Leon Byner, 5AA: Draft Murray-Darling Basin plan - 30 November 2011
- Transcript: Doorstop interview: Draft Murray-Darling Basin plan - 29 November 2011
- Transcript: Press conference: Draft Murray-Darling Basin Plan - 28 November 2011
- Transcript: Interview with Fran Kelly, ABC Radio National - 28 November 2011
More media releases
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
Subscribe to the Water Matters newsletter
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