THE Murray–Darling Basin Authority held a meeting last week in Canberra, discussing the 2025 Basin Plan Evaluation report draft and 2026 Basin Plan Review Discussion, amongst other water-related issues.
The meeting, which took place on Wednesday, April 16, also welcomed a new member.
Wotjobaluk and Dja Dja Wurrung woman Belinda Duarte AM is the eighth and final member of the board and was appointed on Thursday, March 6.
In the meeting, recent consultation between senior state officials in relation to the 2026 Basin Plan Review Discussion Paper launch was discussed, and potential policy pillars.
Set to be released in early 2026, the discussion paper will be open for public consultation for 12 weeks, and then a final report will follow later in the year.
The authority is also responsible for maintaining and publicising surface water take registers and the same for groundwater.
As for the 2025 Basin Plan Evaluation Overview Report, which will hopefully be published mid-this year, members voted the report to be subject to statutory consultation with basin governments.
Authority members were also briefed from various associations and government organisations, and discussed progress to secure the next financial year’s program funding.
This funding aims to deliver joint programs renewing and managing assets of the River Murray system.
