The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for the Environment and Water
The Hon Kevin Anderson MP, New South Wales Minister for Water
Today the Minister for the Environment and Water has formally accredited the first water resource plan from New South Wales. This marks an important step forward in delivery of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
Water resource plans are a critical component of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. They set limits on how much water can be extracted from the system to ensure enough is available to sustain the environment.
Without accredited plans, the Inspector-General of Water Compliance has limited ability to undertake compliance activities in New South Wales to track sustainable diversion limits and ensure they are not exceeded.
New South Wales is responsible for 20 of the 33 Basin water resource plans that were originally due to be in place in 2019.
Once submitted by the state or territory, the Murray-Darling Basin Authority assesses the proposed water resource plans and provides a recommendation to accredit or not to accredit to the Minister for the Environment and Water.
The New South Wales Border Rivers Alluvium Water Resource Plan is a groundwater plan that sets the rules for water extraction in the northern Border Rivers region.
It was recommended for accreditation by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority because it is consistent with the Basin Plan.
The Minister accepted this advice and has accredited the plan.
