Sir Angus Houston (Chair), Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA), Media Release, 3 June 2024

Following the 2-day Basin Leadership Summit in Sydney on 16 to 17 April the Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) has released a report summarising discussions of approximately 100 participants with diverse views on the environmental, cultural, economic, and social outcomes for the Basin.

The Summit assembled more than 2,400 years of collective experience in Basin water management to gather diverse perspectives to inform preparations for the 2026 Basin Plan Review.

The Basin Leadership Summit – Output Report reflects the variety of perspectives and aspirations for a healthy Basin as expressed by Summit participants which included Authority members, Basin Community Committee members, Basin Governments, First Nations peoples, representatives from the environment, industry, science, natural resource management and tourism sectors, and local governments.

In consideration of the Output Report the Authority report to the Basin Leadership Summit responds to the reflections, suggestions and tangible ideas offered during the Summit.

The Authority recognises the significant opportunity afforded through the Basin Plan Review to build confidence in Basin management by focussing on outcomes.

Significant goodwill was demonstrated by all parties during the Summit to listen, hear, and accommodate different perspectives on future Basin management.

While there are natural tensions in the outcomes sought at a local and Basin scale, people are united in their passion for their communities and the Basin, and acknowledge the value of an overarching, Basin management framework.

The observations made regarding current progress and obstacles for Basin Plan implementation provide the Authority with a clear view of the challenges and the opportunities both through the extended implementation of the Basin Plan and those to consider via the Review.

The Summit attendees identified a range of ideas to consider and areas of common ground that may be further pursued through collaborative efforts and will inform the Authority’s early insights to be shared at River Reflections this June.

The Authority will seek to incorporate as many of these proposals within the work supporting the Basin Plan Review, but note many ideas for cooperation, for example carp control or land use planning, extend beyond the remit and scope of the MDBA’s responsibilities.

The Basin Plan Review provides the opportunity to consider how we take an outcomes-based approach, including suggestions from the Summit to:

• be clear on the assumptions that underpin our recommendations, as we include new information and knowledge
• move beyond a singular focus on water recovery and water volumes to achieve environmental improvement and sustainable communities
• consider a more integrated approach to improve Basin health.

The Basin Leadership Summit marked the key step in establishing open lines of conversation among diverse stakeholders.

The Authority intends to hold 2-3 similar events to continue informing the 2026 Basin Plan Review and welcomes contributions from Summit participants on how best to achieve this.

As Chair of the Authority, I thank all involved for their courage and collaboration offered through the Summit. I acknowledge the passion and commitment with which everyone engaged on matters affecting the Basin and encourage that same passion to endure as we continue discussions informing the Basin Plan Review.

I welcome Basin communities to join us at the River Reflections conference in June to hear our early insights on the Basin Plan Review, workshop ideas for future Basin management and the opportunity to continue discussions initiated at the Summit.

Read the Authority response to the Basin Leadership Summit May 2024 and access the Basin Leadership Summit – Output Report online from mdba.gov.au
More on River Reflections, including ticket sales, live stream and how to attend at mdba.gov.au/riverreflections.