The Water Act will be reviewed, as the Federal Government maintains its rampant red tape cutting agenda.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment Simon Birmingham has welcomed the push to deregulate, by amending the act that covers the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, among others.

Senator Birmingham says the Government wants to make it cheaper to comply with the Act.

“In line with our deregulation agenda, we are also eager to ensure the costs of compliance with all aspects of water management in the Basin Plan are minimised,” he said.

“The review will look at opportunities for simplifying the regulatory burden on both industry and water managers.

“The review will also consider how to improve the effectiveness of the Act in delivering on its objectives, in addition to the mandatory terms of reference required under the Act,” Senator Birmingham said.

This is the first review since the Act commenced in 2008 and is being conducted in line with requirements outlined in the Act itself.

An independent expert panel has been appointed to conduct the review and will be led by Mr Eamonn Moran PSM QC as Chair, supported by Mr Peter Anderson, Mr Gavin McMahon and Dr Steve Morton.

The experts on the panel come from a range of sectors, with expertise covering law, business regulation, water and environmental management, industry and science.

“The Government also expects the Panel to make recommendations regarding the appropriate times to undertake the next review of the actual Basin Plan,” Senator Birmingham said.

“The Panel will also consider the views of States, interested parties and the community. I encourage all interested parties to participate.

“The panel will meet for the first time this week and will call for public submissions shortly thereafter,” he said.

The first stage of the review is expected to be completed by November.

The terms of reference are accessible in PDF form, here.