The Productivity Commission has released its latest review of the MDBP.

The latest report from the Productivity Commission on the Murray-Darling Basin Plan (MDBP) provides an evaluation of the efforts to rejuvenate Australia's most significant river system. 

Introduced in 2012, the MDBP seeks to distribute water sustainably across the environment, agriculture, and communities, ensuring the system's health amidst challenging conditions such as droughts and overallocation.

The Commission's assessment, the second of its kind since 2018, delves into the MDBP's trajectory towards its 2024 goals, scrutinising government actions, plan effectiveness, and governance. 

While the report acknowledges steps taken in water recovery and environmental water management, it also signals concerns over delayed project timelines, inadequate governance, and unmet water recovery targets, highlighting a shortfall in achieving the Sustainable Diversion Limit (SDL) adjustments and the 450 gigalitres (GL) intended for enhanced environmental outcomes.

Recent legislative reforms, including the Water Amendment (Restoring Our Rivers) Act 2023, aim to address these challenges by extending deadlines, increasing flexibility in meeting water recovery targets, and emphasising the inclusion of First Nations' values in water management. 

However, the Commission's findings suggest that despite these efforts, significant risks loom over key elements of the MDBP not being delivered, compounded by governance issues and potential financial cost escalations.

Contrasting the Commission's candid critique, the Albanese Government's response says it is reviving the MDBP. 

Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek, says the government will fully implement the MDBP, reversing the alleged inadequacies under the previous LNP government. 

Highlighting recent amendments and initiatives such as the Resilient Rivers Program and consultations on the 450 GL recovery, the government says it is running proactive engagement and reform.

The Productivity Commission's review paints a picture of a plan at risk, with essential reforms and stringent governance needed to steer it back on course. However, the government says its optimistic outlook and legislative actions will open a pathway to rectifying past oversights and realising the MDBP's full potential.

The full report is accessible here.