Hugh Schuitemaker, Murray Pioneer

Finding beneficial compromises between Riverland water resource users and those in other states will be necessary for the future success of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, according to a top water management figure.

Inspector-General Of Water Compliance Troy Grant last week visited the Riverland as part of a tour through South Australia.

Mr. Grant said maintaining reliable access to water resources during current drought conditions was a concern across South Australia.

“The reliability and security of water is always top of mind when there’s difficult weather conditions,” Mr. Grant said.

“But it’s been mostly (about) critical supply to townships at the moment.

“I’ve noticed here there’s not as much finger-pointing upstream… that was hot when I started in this role, and has certainly dissipated. I think there’s far-better communication between north and south, (and) transparency has helped in that regard.”

Mr. Grant said ongoing collaboration, and recognition of what different regions require, was key to the success of the upcoming Murray-Darling Basin Plan review.

“The Basin Plan and accompanying legislation is flawed in design,” he said.

“The intention of the plan, and the best efforts of everyone, is basically supported now… there was rigorous protest in the beginning, but I think there’s been a general acceptance over the decade and a bit of the plan, that the principles and objectives of the plan are sound enough.

“Where the difficulty lies is the lack of robustness in the legislation for deterrence and consequence if you break the rules, the lack of visibility and transparency about management decisions that are made, and the lack of measurements in the outcomes achieved from the plan. My concern is until you get those fundamental things properly answered, or enough assurance around those, how can you design plan two? Otherwise, you risk making the same mistakes.

“The Basin Plan is a co-operative effort, and the entities co-operating all have different needs and priorities. We’re not naïve to recognizing that, and understanding there’s levels of compromises made to get to a greater-good outcome.”

Renmark Irrigation Trust CEO Rosalie Auricht said Mr. Grant’s role was vital to ensuring balance among Murray-Darling Basin states.

“We’re appreciative of the oversight the inspector-general has had. It gives confidence to people in our community and across the Basin, there’s someone keeping an eye on what’s happening,” Ms. Auricht said.

“Having that healthy river system is important, and every community requires a healthy waterway, for their health, wellbeing, and socio-economic outcomes.

“That’s been a really big improvement across the Basin.”

Mr. Grant said illustrating the necessary co-operation between industry, environmental, government, and community groups had been a highlight of the Basin Plan so far.

“Now everyone is reliant on each other,” he said.

“The most successful industry can’t be successful without a strong environment, community, or strong Indigenous appreciation. It’s forced a better integration of the appreciation for the value of those key components of water management.

“People realize they are more reliant on each other than opposed to each other, and that’s been a really healthy outcome.

This article appeared in Murray Pioneer, 2 July 2025.