View the report as separate downloadable parts:
Committee membership
Terms of Reference
Executive summary and issues for consideration
The purpose of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan
The preparation of this issues paper
Summary of issues outlined in this paper
Questions for consideration
Structure of this issues paper
Map of the Murray-Darling Basin in context to Australia
Abbreviations
Chapter 1—Background and context of the Plan
Management of the Basin
Governance arrangements
Intergovernmental agreements
The Murray-Darling Basin Plan
Financial transparency
Adaptive management and changes to the Basin Plan
Constitution Alteration (Water Resources) 2019
Chapter 2—Consumptive water limits and water recovery
Sustainable Diversion Limits
SDL Adjustment Mechanism
Water Resource Plans
Reporting and compliance
Water recovery
Chapter 3—Environmental water
Introduction
Key parties in the recovery of environmental water
Planning for environmental water
Coordinating the delivery of environmental water
Monitoring and measuring the impact of environmental watering
Communicating the purpose and impacts of environmental watering
Drought and the independence of environmental water holders
Protection of environmental water in NSW
Maximising the benefits of environmental water
Chapter 4—Water trade
ACCC Murray-Darling water markets inquiry
Contextual information
How is water traded in the Basin?
Basin Plan trading rules
Chapter 5—Basin Plan compliance
Key reviews and inquiries
Basin States compliance obligations and regulatory frameworks
Metering arrangements
Transparency and accountability
Compliance and enforcement frameworks
MDBA compliance functions
Calls for a water audit
Legislation to address compliance matters
Establishing an Inspector-General of Murray-Darling Basin Water Resources
Chapter 6—Monitoring and evaluating Basin Plan implementation
Division of reporting responsibilities
MDBA reporting and evaluation requirements
Basin states reporting and evaluation requirements
Productivity Commission reporting and evaluation requirements
Limitations of cross-jurisdictional oversight
Chapter 7—Drought, climate change and critical human water needs
Many locations in the Basin are experiencing severe drought conditions
Water for Critical Human Needs is prioritised in the Basin Plan
The Water Act and the Basin Plan include requirements to ensure water is available for critical human needs
Water Resource Plans detail processes for dealing with extreme events
Role of water infrastructure development
How is research and data used to plan for the impacts of drought and climate change in the Basin?