The MDBA released the Constraints Roadmap today which outlines the new framework for cross-border delivery of the Basin Constraints program
for another 10-years. The MDBA stating that “The Roadmap provides a guide for governments and communities in navigating the complex reforms
required to relax constraints. The findings reflect the MDBA’s view on how to move forward. We hope that they are embraced by governments.
Governments are the ultimate decision-makers on moving forward in relaxing constraints.” […]
The Inspector General this week released their 2022-2023 Murray Darling Basin
Compliance Report. The
report states that "this compliance performance report provides a sample of common compliance activities metrics for each Basin State
which will be incorporated into progressively broader reporting under a Basin-wide compliance performance reporting scheme. It is also
anticipated that future reporting on compliance activities will be at the water resource plan level."
The report provides an overview of the different approaches and outcomes to compliance in each of the Basin States. NSW reported licence
holder numbers not metered percentage (with a target of 95% underway), SA reported 98.2% of take was metered, Queensland report 74% of take was metered, in Victoria 98% was metered (and 76% telemetered), no details for ACT. Victoria has the largest number of statutory officers, despite have the highest percentage of telemetered meters. Victoria also had the highest number of
investigations open and closed and warnings, whereas SA had the highest number and greatest value of fines.
DCCEEW recently released their progress assessment of the water market reforms. This document outlines the steps taken to implement the ACCC recommendations and highlights the significant change still to navigate through water market reforms as required by the Restoring
Our Rivers 2023 amendment. Unfortunately, the progress update provides no assessment of the costs and benefits of these reforms, rather forges ahead. Current consultation include Water Market Decisions, Water Market Pre-Trade data and the final policy position for the Intermediaries Code via the Department’s website.
Following ongoing discussions with DCCEEW about accountability and transparency of progress on the Murray Darling Basin Plan, our attention was drawn to this new resource to track the progress. Whilst it doesn't go all the way with providing the much-needed transparency, it
does provide a visual examples of the progress, and remaining effort. Its worth a look.
