Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA), Media Release, 7 May 2026

The 36th meeting of the Advisory Committee on Social, Economic and Environmental Sciences (ACSEES) was convened virtually 21 April 2026. The meeting was chaired by Adjunct Professor William (Bill) Young. Professor Troy Meston was the only apology for the meeting.

The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) updated the Committee on its business priorities and progress on the Basin Plan Review. MDBA shared information on internal restructures to support completion of the Basin Plan Review and on ongoing work programmes. ACSEES members shared updates on their current work related to the Murray–Darling Basin including OneBasin CRC projects, economic assessments, groundwater research, Indigenous fish traps, and vulnerable community research.

MDBA updated ACSEES on the ongoing assessments of current Sustainable Diversion Limits (SDL) and potential response options to inform the Basin Plan Review. ACSEES noted that the initial published SDL assessments use a “primary line of enquiry” based on the historical hydroclimate. However, the current hydroclimate of the Basin is already different to the long-term historical hydroclimate as a result of climate change that has already occurred, and the hydroclimate for the next decade of Basin Plan implementation is likely to be very different to the historical hydroclimate. ACSESS offered to work with MDBA to help ensure that the SDL assessments take appropriate account of both the hydroclimate changes that have already occurred in the Basin and those that may occur during the next decade of Basin Plan implementation.

ACSEES noted concerns with the validity of the proposed multi criteria approach to SDL response option assessments and advised that assessments should consider costs and benefits as well as distributional impacts (different communities and economic sectors). ACSEES also recommended that adaptive management and transition pathways and multiple plausible future hydroclimates be considered in options assessment. ACSEES noted that within a 10-year implementation/review cycle, adaptive management under rapid climate change can be facilitated by mechanisms to revise Basin Plan objectives by defining appropriate triggers in the Basin Plan.

ACSEES noted that research on public participation points to the normative and practical value of participatory processes that enable deliberation over substantiated options, rather than only seeking opinions or preferences. ACSEES advised that ongoing stakeholder engagement on specific policy options proposed for the Basin Plan Review, following full consideration of Discussion Paper submissions, would improve stakeholder trust and the legitimacy of eventual policy decisions.

An overview of a draft MDBA Nhuku Kiira First Nations Science and Knowledge strategy was presented to ACSEES. ACSEES noted the MDBA team’s openness to more opportunities for collaboration to elevate First Nations People’s science and knowledge across Basin research, monitoring and policy programs. ACSEES expressed a desire to continue engagement in the strategy development process.

MDBA updated ACSEES on how it assures the quality of its science, focussing on the programs in support of the Basin Plan Review. As MDBA is beginning to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in its science activities, ACSEES recommended that guidance on appropriate use of AI be incorporated into the MDBA science quality assurance guidelines. ACSEES also recommended that MDBA consider how to incorporate evaluation of ‘best available science’ more explicitly into the science quality assurance process.

MDBA briefed ACSEES on the Menindee Lakes Review, including explaining links to the Basin Plan Review and NSW Government projects, and the cultural, environmental, and community importance of the lakes. ACSEES offered to assist with assessment of technical work that will be undertaken to inform the review.

ACSEES noted its concerns regarding future government investment in science to guide Basin Plan implementation, including environmental watering and monitoring and evaluation of the state of the Basin. ACSEES cautioned that insufficient investment would limit the Authority’s ability to effectively navigate the rapid changes expected across the Basin (especially those relating directly to global warming) and limit the ability to respond effectively to emerging threats. ACSEES stressed the importance a new partnership approach to the design and implementation of a forward ten-year science program, and the criticality of ensuring sufficient scientific capability.

The next ACSEES meeting is scheduled for August 2026.