The Water Management Plan 2025–26 guides the strategic use of Commonwealth environmental water across the Murray–Darling Basin under the Water Act 2007 and Basin Plan 2012. It assesses climatic conditions, water availability and ecological needs across major valleys and provides for adaptive decisions on water delivery, carryover, transfers and trade. The Plan establishes valley-specific watering priorities for the Border Rivers and Moonie, Condamine–Balonne, Gwydir, Namoi, Macquarie, Barwon–Darling and Warrego, Lower Darling/Baaka, Lachlan, Murrumbidgee, Victorian Rivers and River Murray systems. Water is to be managed to maintain river flows, water quality and connectivity; protect wetlands and drought refuges; support native fish survival, breeding, recruitment and movement; maintain floodplain and riparian vegetation; and provide habitat for waterbirds, frogs and other water-dependent species. Particular attention is given to Ramsar wetlands, threatened species, the ecological condition of the Coorong and Lower Lakes, and recovery following drought, flooding, hypoxic events and mass fish deaths. Implementation relies on coordinated management with state environmental water holders, river operators, scientists, landholders, community organisations and First Nations peoples. The Plan recognises First Nations responsibilities for Country, cultural outcomes, Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property, free, prior and informed consent, data governance and participation in planning, monitoring and research. The Flow Monitoring, Evaluation and Research programme supports evidence-based management, while contingency actions address drought, poor water quality, avian influenza risks and naturally triggered waterbird breeding.
أستراليا · 2025-01-01