About the Murray–Darling Basin Authority

The Murray–Darling Basin Authority's principal aim is to manage the Basin's water resources in the national interest.

The establishment of the MDBA means that, for the first time, a single agency is now responsible for planning integrated management of the water resources of the Murray–Darling Basin.

In December 2008, MDBA assumed responsibility for all of the functions of the former Murray–Darling Basin Commission.

The Authority is made up of six members who are supported by an office of around 300 staff. The Ministerial Council and the Basin Officials Committee play important roles in providing advice and making high level decisions relating to the functions of the MDBA.

What we do

Our main roles and responsibilities include:

• preparing the Basin Plan for adoption by the Minister for Climate Change, Energy Efficiency and Water
• implementing and enforcing the Basin Plan
• advising the minister on the accreditation of state water resource plans
• developing a water rights information service which facilitates water trading across the Murray–Darling Basin
• measuring and monitoring water resources in the Basin
• gathering information and undertaking research
• educating and engaging the community in the management of the Basin's resources

How we do it

In addition to preparing the Basin Plan, we manage the water resources of the Murray–Darling Basin, in conjunction with the Basin states through a number of programs. These programs include:

The Native Fish Strategy to restore native fish populations in the Basin back to 60 per cent of their estimated pre-European settlement levels within 50 years.

The Living Murray program to achieve a healthy working River Murray system for the benefit of all Australians.

The Sustainable Rivers Audit to monitor the long-term health of the Basin's rivers.

The River Murray Water Quality Monitoring program to report and assesses water quality, variability and trends to guide management actions along the River Murray and the lower reaches of its tributaries and storages.

The River Murray Operations to direct water releases from storages and control the diversions of water from the river for irrigation and agricultural use, and for consumers in urban areas.

The Basin Salinity Management Strategy to minimise the impacts of salinity in the Basin.

The Water Trade Program to co-ordinate and refine the rules for trading water interstate.

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.

For further information please see our frequently asked questions