TAG
water buybacks
Outrage at MDBA’s secretive review
A leading community and farmer organisation has expressed outrage at the secrecy surrounding government policy and the failure of a so-called independent authority. The Murray Regional Strategy Group says the Murray-Darling Basin Authority is turning its back on communities, while abrogating its statutory responsibilities ... "We’ve been patted on the head and told to go away. You’ll only have access to further MDBA consultation if you’re someone special."
Labor dumps Basin water projects in favour of more buybacks: McCormack
The Albanese Labor Government has quietly abandoned 14 water infrastructure and river management projects across the Murray-Darling Basin, with irrigators and water users fearing more devastating water buybacks are to come.
Basin Officials Committee communique, June 2026: MDBA
In 2017, Basin governments agreed to a package of 36 projects in the southern Basin that would deliver environmental benefits equivalent to 605 gigalitres per year (GL/y) of recovered water. This allowed the sustainable diversion limits in the southern Basin to increase by 605 GL/y.
Balranald Mayor calls out built-in disadvantage stacking grant system against small councils
Balranald Shire Council Mayor Cr Louie Zaffina has called on both the Australian and NSW Governments to urgently reform the way grant funding reaches communities affected by water buybacks, saying the current competitive model gives small rural councils no fair chance.
Updated Schedule D trade rules to commence 1 July 2026: MDBA
New water trade arrangements under Schedule D of the Murray–Darling Basin Agreement will come into effect from 1 July 2026, following the completion of the Schedule D review and approval by Ministerial Council.
No to further buybacks
Hay Shire Council has made a submission to the Basin Plan Review following the recent round of water buybacks, highlighting the basic human need of water and the importance of clean reliable water supply for local water utilities. "Investment in local government and town water supply infrastructure must be considered in any water recovery," General Manager, David Webb said.
VFF calls on Basin Plan recommendations to be released
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) says the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) must now reveal what it intends to recommend after their recent release of the 2026 ‘What we heard’ report failed to outline the next steps. VFF Water Council Chair Andrew Leahy said the report accurately reflected the fact that communities hold differing views on issues such as water buybacks, but it fails to answer the most important question.
Labor’s water buybacks driving up food prices for every Australian family
Labor's announcement of yet another massive Southern Murray-Darling Basin water buyback is a direct attack on Australian families already buckling under the cost of living, according to One Nation Member for Farrer David Farley ... Mr Farley said that if the 2007 Water Act review, the 2026 Basin review and the national food security work were not being set up as foregone conclusions, Labor would have waited for their findings instead of rushing into another buyback that struggling families and farmers will pay for.
Broad agreement on the need to move forwards in MDB: National Irrigators Council
Today’s publication of the ‘What we Heard’ Report following public consultation on the Basin Plan Review shows a clear united message: priorities have shifted, move on from “just adding water”.
What we heard report reflects voices from across the Basin: MDBA
The MDBA today released the What we heard report, reflecting the key themes and perspectives raised during the public consultation on the 2026 Basin Plan Review. MDBA Chief Executive, Andrew McConville said people have plenty of different views about how water should be managed, but there was a clear message underneath it all: the Basin Plan matters, and people want it to work better.
