The Murray-Darling Basin is an important river system in Australia that has been facing a severe water crisis for years. In 2008, after years of negotiations, an agreement was reached between the Australian Federal Government and the governments of the states and territories that comprise the basin, known as the intergovernmental agreement on Murray-Darling Basin reform.
The agreement was significant in that it recognized the need for a comprehensive approach to managing the water resources of the basin, which spans over 1 million square kilometers and supplies water to millions of people, including farmers, industries, and urban areas. The agreement aimed to balance the competing demands for water from different sectors, while also protecting the ecological health of the river system.
One of the key features of the agreement was the establishment of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA), a new federal agency tasked with overseeing the management of the basin`s water resources. The MDBA was given the responsibility of developing a basin-wide plan for managing the water resources, which was to be based on scientific evidence and stakeholder consultation.
The basin plan, which was adopted in 2012, set out a range of measures aimed at improving the health of the river system. These included water buybacks from irrigators, improvements to irrigation infrastructure, and the reintroduction of environmental flows to help support the basin`s wetlands and other ecosystems.
However, the implementation of the basin plan has been beset by controversy, with some stakeholders arguing that it has led to significant economic hardship for farmers and communities in the basin. The Australian Government has responded by establishing a variety of programs aimed at supporting affected communities, including a $1.5 billion package of support measures announced in 2019.
Despite the ongoing debates, the intergovernmental agreement on Murray-Darling Basin reform remains an important milestone in the management of the basin`s water resources. It recognized the need for a collaborative, integrated approach to managing the basin, and established a framework for ongoing dialogue and cooperation between the states and territories that share responsibility for its management. The river system remains a crucial asset for Australia, and continued efforts will be needed to ensure its long-term sustainability.