The Basin Plan is the largest water reform of its kind in the world. It aims to bring the Murray-Darling Basin back to health to sustainably support communities now, and into the future. Every five years the Murray–Darling Basin Authority takes stock of the Basin Plan and how it is being implemented to determine which elements are working and where improvement is needed.
The 2020 Basin Plan Evaluation (released in December) used a multiple line of evidence approach drawing upon expertise and analysis from a wide range of sources — including from the science community, independent advisors, the Australian Government and state and territory governments, and stakeholders from communities and industries.
Major findings were developed across three themes:
These findings demonstrate that the Basin Plan is having a significant and positive impact on the environment and communities, but it is not enough on its own. There has been a significant variation in outcomes across the Basin and climate change will require difficult decisions to be made.
The evaluation has made several recommendations and identified six key priority focus areas for the future. Governments will need to implement a range of additional, practical measures to achieve a healthy and resilient Basin.
In this presentation we will provide an overview of the 2020 Evaluation, with a focus on the hydrology & environment theme.