NSW has made significant progress towards its obligations under the Murray Darling Basin Plan, having  now lodged its final water resource plans to the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA).

Minister for Lands and Water Kevin Anderson said this was an important milestone and highlights the NSW Nationals commitment to supporting Murray Darling Basin communities.

“The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has continued to work tirelessly to get these final plans, in a way that balances the needs of communities, water users and the environment,” Mr Anderson said.

“There is a three stage process for approval of WRPs. First is submission to the MDBA, second pre-lodgement checks by the MDBA and three, final lodgement and accreditation.

“The NSW Government committed to having all 20 water resources plans submitted by last year. That milestone was achieved. NSW has now formally lodged the last six plans with the MDBA so accreditation can commence.”

Mr Anderson said water resource plans are key to implementing the Basin Plan, so water is taken from the river system sustainably and according to legal limits, giving certainty to water users and the environment.

“NSW is responsible for 20 out of the 33 water resource plans, which is more than double the number of other Basin jurisdictions,” Mr Anderson said.

“Three surface water plans – Border Rivers, Gwydir and the Macquarie – are even more significant because they reflect the historic NSW Floodplain Harvesting reforms that protect the environment and downstream communities by keeping this activity within legal limits.

“We stand ready to work with the MDBA to update the water resource plans in the Barwon Darling and the Namoi to include floodplain harvesting which the NSW Government has now regulated.”

“My job as Minister is to deliver healthy rivers, healthy farms and healthy communities and that is what the NSW Nationals are doing.”