The Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) has released a Discussion Paper to support public consultation on the Basin Plan Review. In accordance with the Water Act 2007, the Authority is required to review the Basin Plan before the end of 2026.
“Today’s release of the Discussion Paper kicks off the Basin Plan Review” MDBA Chief Executive Andrew McConville said.
“Through the Discussion Paper the Authority has explored progress that has been made to date and considered some of the issues and challenges for the Basin as we look forward over the next decade.”
Mr McConville said that the intention is for the Discussion Paper to help inform communities that depend on a healthy working Basin to then make submissions to the Review.
“At this point it is a discussion, not a set of decisions. Nothing in the Review is yet settled, and we want to have a genuine conversation with communities, informed by their lived experience.”
Consultation on the Discussion Paper will run for 12 weeks from 5 February 2026 until 1 May 2026, during which the Authority will be encouraging individuals, communities, peak bodies and anyone with an interest in achieving better outcomes for the Basin, to make a submission.
A copy of the Discussion Paper can be downloaded from the MDBA website: https://www.mdba.gov.au/publications-and-data/publications/2026-basin-plan-review-discussion-paper
Further information on the Review and how to make a submission can be found on the MDBA website at: https://mdba.gov.au/bpr-discussion-paper
