Basin Plan development

Milestones

• The proposed Basin Plan for consultation published – 28 November 2011
• MDBA consulted with basin communities over 20 weeks - received and considered submissions
• Revised the proposed Basin Plan based on consultation and submissions

May 2012

• Proposed Basin Plan – a revised draft published on 28th May 2012
• Summary report of submissions  and incorporated changes published
• Ministerial Council had 6 weeks to review and provide comments on the documents back to the Murray–Darling Basin Authority
• The Authority considered the matters raised by the Ministerial Council and undertook consultations with key stakeholder groups representing affected interests

August 2012

• Proposed Basin Plan - published on 6 August 2012
• A summary of the views expressed during consultation on the matters raised, the Authority's views and incorporated changes are published
• MDBA presents proposed Basin Plan to Ministerial Council   who has three weeks in which to provide any further views to the Commonwealth Minister
• Following this three week period – the Commonwealth Minister has 12 weeks to consider the Basin Plan, and either adopt the Plan or make suggestions back to the Authority
• The Minister may also direct the Authority on some aspects of the Basin Plan as specified in the Water Act.
  Once the Basin Plan is tabled in Parliament – there are 15 days in which the Plan may be disallowed
• Subject to the outcomes of the Parliament, the Authority and Basin States will then implement Basin plan