Basin body meets in QLD
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The MDBA’s Basin Officials Committee (BOC) has noted progress on water management in Queensland.
The BOC has held a meeting in St George, Queensland, following a field trip to the greater St George area, hosted by the Queensland Department of Local Government, Water, and Volunteers.
BOC members were joined by representatives from the Basin Community Committee (BCC), who offered insights into community experiences with the Basin Plan.
These included perspectives on the Early Insights Paper for the Basin Plan Review and the strain caused by “consultation fatigue”, a recurring challenge for stakeholders.
Discussions covered significant developments across the Basin.
Members shared updates on measures to enhance First Nations’ ownership and access to water, reaffirming the committee’s commitment to equity in resource distribution.
The Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism (SDLAM) took centre stage, with members agreeing to notify the Murray–Darling Basin Authority of amended timelines for existing projects.
Two new proposals - Murrumbidgee Airspace Management and Restoring Flows to the Mallee Floodplain - were greenlit for further exploration.
Environmental priorities featured prominently, with updates on the Constraints Relaxation Implementation Roadmap highlighting collaboration with the Constraints Roadmap Advisory Group.
The committee also reviewed a draft Northern Connectivity report, which aims to bolster water flow through regions like the Menindee Lakes, and preparations for an evaluation of the Northern Basin Toolkit measures signalled further steps toward sustainable management.
The BOC addressed strategic planning, including a draft multi-year budget and work program for 2025–26 to 2028–29, which will go before the Ministerial Council early next year.
Governance reforms, including updates to membership and terms of reference, were finalised to enhance reporting and coordination across the Basin’s complex framework.
As part of ongoing efforts to integrate modelling and data-sharing, the committee agreed to make the Integrated River Modelling Uplift Program a standing item for all future meetings.
Operational updates on water availability and climate conditions provide context for the River Murray system’s current state and inform discussions on environmental water trials connecting northern and southern Basin regions.
By the meeting’s close, the committee had reaffirmed its focus on balancing environmental restoration, resource accessibility, and community involvement.
Its next meeting is scheduled for March 2025 in Victoria.