About MDBA
The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) is part of the Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities portfolio, and reports to its minister, the Hon Tony Burke (the Commonwealth Minister for Water).
The MDBA was established under the federal Water Act 2007 as an independent, expertise based statutory agency; our role includes advising a six member Authority, of which our Chief Executive is a member, about Basin-wide strategy, policy and planning.
The MDBA undertakes activities that support the sustainable and integrated management of the water resources of the Murray-Darling Basin in a way that best meets the social, economic and environmental needs of the Basin and its communities.
We lead the planning and management of Basin water resources, and coordinate and maintain collaborative long-term strategic relations with other Australian Government, Basin state government and local agencies; industry groups; scientists and research organisations.
What we do
The Water Act requires the MDBA to undertake a number of functions:
- construct and operate River Murray assets such as dams and weirs
- advise the Commonwealth Minister for Water on the accreditation of state water resource plans
- develop a water rights information service to facilitate water trading across the Basin
- manage water sharing between the states
- manage all aspects of Basin water resources, including water, organisms and other components and ecosystems that contribute to the physical state and environmental value of the Basin's water resources
- measure and monitor water resources in the Basin
- gather information and undertake research
- engage and educate the community in the management of the Basin's resources.
The MDBA carries out these functions directly and through Basin state government agencies in partnership with the Australian Government. More information about the MDBA's role and structure can be found in Part 9, Division 2 of the Water Act
National framework
The Murray–Darling Basin Authority is an integral element of the federal government program Water for the Future which has four priorities:
- tackling climate change
- supporting healthy rivers
- using water wisely
- securing our water supplies.
In delivering Water for the Future, the Australian Government is setting a new standard in national leadership and cooperation with state and territory governments in water resource management.
