Statements of Assurance 2014–15

As we implement the Basin Plan, it is important the community can see that people and organisations are meeting their obligations. For this purpose, the MDBA, Basin States and the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder have agreed to publish Statements of Assurance each year. The Statements of Assurance provide an opportunity for the parties involved in the Basin Plan Implementation Agreement to provide the community with information about their compliance and progress in implementing the Basin Plan – which is scheduled to roll out over a number of years.

The 2014-15 Statement of Assurance includes reporting on consistency with the Basin Plan water trading rules, which commenced on 1 July 2014.

Reporting on long-term environmental watering plans for each surface water resource plan area will commence in the water year following its finalisation. The plans are due to begin rolling out in 2015-16 with the final plans due in June 2019.

Sustainable Diversion Limits become enforceable from 1 July 2019 and these will be reported on for the first time in 2019-20.

Throughout 2014-15 we worked collaboratively with all relevant parties and this work has resulted in the Basin Plan tasks progressing well. This is reflected in the 2014-15 Statements of Assurance and associated checklists, see below:

MDBA 2014-15 Statement of Assurance and Statement of Assurance Checklist

Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder 2014-15 Statement of Assurance

Basin States 2014-15 Statement of Assurance:

• Queensland
• New South Wales
• Victoria
• South Australia
• Australian Capital Territory

Please note Statements of Assurance are self-assessments by Basin States and the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder and do not necessarily represent the views of the MDBA.

The MDBA is currently working with Basin States and the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder to ensure consistency with the Basin Plan. The MDBA has a requirement to fulfil its enforcement responsibilities under Part 8 of the Water Act 2007 (Commonwealth) for contraventions relating to Part 2 of the Water Act (including the Basin Plan).