Murray Darling Plan a work in progress
The Murray Darling Basin Plan may not be perfect, but as a living document it was a constant work in progress, according to the CEO of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority Andrew McConville.
Mr McConville said there was a genuine opportunity for input from communities, the business and agriculture sector, First Nations people, and environmental groups, to play a part in developing the plan over the next decade.
The Federal government has set aside $100 million for a review of the basin plan as it moves into its second decade.
“The basin plan hadn’t previously been funded for a review, so we want to ensure we find the best way forward for the next chapter and see what that looks like,” Mr McConville said.
“The original plan was drawn up in 2012 and there is an enormous amount of work to be done to update factors like climate change, to make the plan more adaptable, to simplify the legislation and regulations, and these are good things that we can get underway as we prepare in three years’ time for the review.
“As the plan stands now, it has the ability to help basin communities adapt to climate change and sustainable diversion, and we have seen adjustments like Northern Basin Review, and we’d expect that process to continue.
“The government is open to all options for the environment and communities up and down the river and there are a lot of people with good ideas who can help bring forward some of the solutions,” he said.
There will be a five-week consultation period for people who want to make a contributions and Mr McConville is urging people to be part of what he said is one of the most important blueprints for Australia’s future, particularly for communities dependent on a healthy river system for social, environmental, and economic health. […]
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