The Murray–Darling Basin Authority

The Murray–Darling Basin Authority is responsible for planning the integrated management of water resources of the vast Murray–Darling Basin — Australia's food bowl.

More about the MDBA

The Basin Plan

The Murray–Darling Basin Authority is currently preparing the first strategic plan for the integrated and sustainable management of water resources in the Murray–Darling Basin.
To learn more about the Basin Plan, click here.


River Murray algal blooms

Latest alerts and information on the blue-green algal blooms in the River Murray System.


Expert panel affirms actions on Murray algal outbreak

Algae in bloom. Photo - Arthur Mostead

04 March, 2010

The Murray-Darling Blue-green Algal Bloom Advisory Panel has concluded that the response to the latest outbreak along the Murray River is being coordinated and managed effectively.

Expert panel to meet over latest Murray algal outbreak

Algae in bloom.Photo-Arthur Mostead

26 February 2010

The Murray-Darling Blue-green Algal Bloom Advisory Panel set up last year by Commonwealth and State governments is to reconvene to discuss the worsening outbreak of bloom in the Murray River.

Submissions to the issues paper Development of sustainable diversion limits

SDL. Photo Brayden Dykes

We received a total of 155 submissions to our sustainable diversion limits issues paper. Non confidential submissions can be viewed here.

The MDBA values these inputs to developing the Basin Plan. The MDBA is currently considering the issues raised in submissions and has commissioned a detailed technical review of submissions to ensure that key elements and information from the submissions are fully considered and taken into account in the Proposed Basin Plan.

Forums tackle progress and process of developing new Basin Plan

New basin plan- photo arthur

13 December 2009

Two forums being conducted over four days this week by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority in Canberra will engage stakeholders on the progress and process of the developing new Basin Plan.

Northern Basin Indigenous forum adds Basin Plan input

Warrego River - Photo - Arthur Mostead

11 December 2009

More than 60 representatives from 27 Indigenous nations in the Northern Murray-Darling Basin took part in the Northern Basin Indigenous Gathering at Moree on 9 and 10 December.

Lock 3 to close for repairs, upgrade

Lock 3 - showing water levels, Photo - Peter Solness

7 December 2009

River Murray users will not be able to pass through Lock 3 at Overland Corner in South Australia for about 12 weeks from January 11 while essential maintenance work is undertaken by SA Water on behalf of the Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA).

Joint Murray-Darling Basin Authority - Basin Community Committee clarifies issues confronting Basin

Albury. Photo: Arthur Mostead

1 December 2009

A joint meeting of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority and its Basin Community Committee held at Albury today was provided a with clear set of issues confronting Basin communities in the development of the new Basin Plan.

Murray-Darling Ministerial Council Meeting No 2

MinCo-Meeting 2. Photo: Brayden Dykes

13 November 2009

Despite recent rain and a welcome boost to water allocations for farmers in the southern Murray-Darling Basin, the water resource outlook for the whole Basin remains poor.

Have your say on setting new water extraction limits from Basin rivers and waterways

SDL. Photo Brayden Dykes

12 November 2009

The Murray-Darling Basin Authority today released a major discussion paper on the issues involved in setting new Basin-wide limits to the amount of water that can be taken from the Basin’s rivers, waterways and groundwater.

Refilling of Euston Lakes begins

Euston. Photo A. Mostead

11 November 2009

The refilling of Euston Lakes (Dry Lake and Lake Benanee) began this week after being isolated from the River Murray for nearly two years.