To provide flexibility, the Basin Plan includes a mechanism to adjust sustainable diversion limits in the southern Basin. The mechanism requires a suite of projects to be implemented – some projects allow Basin Plan environmental outcomes to be achieved with less water. This means that more water can remain in the system for other users, including households, industry and irrigated agriculture. Other projects improve water use so it’s more efficient.
Supply projects

Supply projects are improved ways to manage the Basin’s rivers to more efficiently deliver water for the environment. Projects include environmental works, such as building or improving river or water management structures and changes to river operating rules, which achieve environmental outcomes, with less water.
Community input is critical to the ongoing detailed design and implementation of these projects.
Once projects move into the design phase Basin state governments will work with local communities and affected landholders to ensure these projects consider local needs.
Constraints projects

Constraints projects aim to overcome some of the physical barriers that impact delivering water in the system. Constraints projects can include changes to physical features such as crossings and bridges. They can also change river operating practices and rules. They could allow water managers more flexibility in releasing and moving water through the system.
No changes to flows will occur until all third-party impacts have been resolved in consultation with affected communities. Find out more about constraints.
Efficiency projects

Efficiency projects are activities that change water use practices and save water for the environment.
Projects can include upgrading irrigation systems, lining water delivery channels or installing water meters, along with water productivity improvements in manufacturing or irrigated agriculture, or changes to urban water management practices to reduce water.
Efficiency projects aim to provide 450 gigalitres (GL) more water for the environment.
These projects need to have positive or neutral socio-economic impacts on Basin communities and industries.
View a copy of the register of measures at sustainable diversion limits register of adjustment measures.
Project assessment
The feasibility of each of these projects have been assessed by all Basin states, the Australian Government and the MDBA through an agreed assessment process.
The status of these projects vary, with some projects at the early stages of project design and community consultation, while others are already fully operational.
To assess the project package and determine the overall adjustment amount to sustainable diversion limits, each project was required to be
notified to the MDBA by Basin state governments.
A brief description of each project is provided below, including an indication of the status of the project and any key issues raised by Basin state governments. Basin state governments have provided solutions for issues raised. These issues will be considered through later stages of project development and will include the opportunity for community consultation.
Recommended adjustment and next steps
Under the adjustment mechanism, the MDBA determined in 2017 that the implementation of all supply projects will allow 605 GL additional water to remain available for industry and communities, while still achieving the same or better environmental outcomes. To achieve this, a minimum of 62 GL must be obtained through efficiency projects, for the total adjustment to remain within the 5% limit set out in the Basin Plan.
The adjustment to sustainable diversion limits passed the Senate in May 2018. This is just the start of the process. Basin state governments have until 2024 to work with communities, industries and engineers to further design and complete projects.
The MDBA has made a number of recommendations, including ongoing consultation and engagement from all Basin governments over the coming years. Basin state governments are committed to meaningful consultation with communities and experts in the design and implementation of projects, to ensure local and project-specific concerns and issues are considered throughout this process.
The MDBA plays a key role in monitoring the integrity of the sustainable diversion limit adjustment mechanism (SDLAM) and the package of measures. To achieve this, the MDBA has established transparent regular reporting processes to communicate with Basin governments and communities on the progress of individual projects, and on the package of measures as a whole. Measures also need to be approved under relevant state and Commonwealth regulations (for example the NSW Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979, Fisheries Management Act 1994 and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999).
Basin governments and the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment also undertake progress reporting. For the most recent information on project progress, please read the Indec status assessment report and summary of the SDLAM program. In considering this report please note:
- the package of project (SDLAM) is a modelled package of projects working together to deliver environmental benefits and an adjustment of 605 GL to the sustainable diversion limits. Volumes attributed to individual projects are for guidance only
- the MDBA separately undertakes assurance of the projects, including on whether the projects are likely to enter operation in 2024, and are capable of delivering the expected volumetric adjustment as well as expected environmental outcomes. See Adjusting sustainable diversion limits – annual progress report.
- the independent project progress status report is not a substitute for the Authority’s decision on whether or not to undertake a reconciliation.
Community input, along with technical knowledge and on-the-ground practicalities, means these projects will adapt and change over time. The MDBA convenes technical workshops with Basin states and experts to ensure Basin governments work together and use expert advice to inform the roll-out of the projects. These workshops provide greater transparency and complement Basin state government engagement activities as part of implementing the projects.