Jump to Navigation
Murray–Darling Basin Authority: Basin Plan annual report 2015–16
  • 01 About this report
  • 02 Working together
  • 03 Basin communities and industries
  • 04 A healthy Basin environment
  • 05 Looking ahead
  • More information
  • 01 About this report
  • 02 Working together
  • 03 Basin communities and industries
  • 04 A healthy Basin environment
  • 05 Looking ahead
  • More information
Search
Share using Twitter
Share using Facebook
Share using email Download the PDF
Murray-Darling Basin Authority
  • Basin Plan annual report 2015–16
  • Basin communities and industries
  • Basin communities and industries

Snapshot: Basin communities and industries

Over three million people depend on the water resources of the Murray–Darling Basin. As well as supporting people, the Basin is home to a wide range of industries but particularly agriculture. The gross value of agricultural production in Basin in 2014–15 was $20.6 billion and 46% of Australia’s irrigated agricultural production came from the Basin.

On this page

  • Snapshot:

Understanding how elements of the Basin Plan, including water recovery, investment in water infrastructure and the operation of water markets, affect people and industries is essential in having an adaptive and sustainable Basin Plan.


Snapshot:

  • Modernising irrigation infrastructure continued to provide benefits to the irrigation sector and remains the preferred way to recover water for the environment.
  • In 2015–16, $263 million was spent on modernising irrigation infrastructure, with more money committed for future projects.
  • Some Basin communities continued to experience significant adverse economic effects from past water purchases.
  • While water prices have risen with the implementation of the Basin Plan, seasonal conditions appear to be the most significant driver of water prices. For example, in 2015–16 temporary water prices increased between 71–94% from the previous year, primarily driven by dry conditions.
  • More than 90 small and large businesses, local governments and other organisations received over $65 million in funding through the Murray–Darling Basin Economic Diversification Programme.
  • Previously 03 Basin communities and industries
  • Up next Water recovery and communities
  • 01 About this report
  • 02 Working together
  • 03 Basin communities and industries
  • 04 A healthy Basin environment
  • 05 Looking ahead
  • More information