Government, Greens agree on new deal to recover more water for Murray-Darling Basin

Billions of litres of water taken from SA in an act of Liberal Party “sabotage” will be returned by 2027, the government says.

The Dredger at the Murray Mouth in Goolwa in 2019. Picture Simon Cross

The federal government will be allowed to recover more water for the Murray-Darling Basin under a new plan to improve the health of the river.

The government and Greens announced on Monday an agreement to strengthen the Restoring our Rivers Bill, which aims to get water back into rivers and onto the floodplains.

Measures outlined in the plan include ensuring the government can recover 450 gigalitres of additional environmental water per year by the end of 2027, and conducting an independent audit of the water allocated to the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder.

There would also be more emphasis on the connection of First Nations people to the river, as well as an acknowledgement of their history and water needs. The plan includes a boost in funding for the Aboriginal Water Entitlement Program to $100m.

Federal Water Minister Tanya Plibersek and Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young announce the deal in Canberra. Picture: Martin Ollman

Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said this was a critical time for the environment in a statement which accused the Liberal and National parties of sabotaging Australia’s river rescue plans.

“We’re talking about the largest inland river system in Australia, supporting threatened plants and animals and delivering drinking water for 3 million Australians. We have to get this right,” she said.

“Not delivering this is simply not an option. We want to make sure we have a healthy and sustainable river system for the communities, industry, First Nations groups and environment that rely on it.”

Greens environment and water spokeswoman Sarah Hanson-Young, a senator for South Australia, said the legislation was a significant win for the environment and river communities.

“The Greens have secured a guarantee in law that the environment will finally receive the 450 gigalitres of water needed to protect our precious river system,” she said.

“This breakthrough agreement will deliver more water for the river across the entire basin, north and south.

“This is a landmark win for South Australia after more than a decade fighting for the water needed to protect the Coorong, Lower Lakes and to keep the Murray Mouth open.”

Dredging of the Murray Mouth resumed on Monday for the first time since the 2022-23 floods, helping to protect the health of the Lower Lakes and Coorong.

Dredging will resume at the Murray Mouth in Goolwa. Picture Simon Cross

Flooding and high mid-year flows combined to reduce the need for dredging but the recent dry weather has meant sand has again started to build at the Murray Mouth.

The dredging process removes the build-up of sand at the Mouth and two adjacent water channels, which ensures a clear passage of water flow between the Southern Ocean and River Murray.

It is estimated upwards of 14 million cubic metres of sand has been moved from the area since 2002.

Dredging is funded by the Murray Darling Basin Authority, with the contract managed in South Australia through SA Water.

Climate, Environment and Water Minister Susan Close said current forecasts indicate a dry period for the foreseeable future.

“Ideally, the mouth of our country’s biggest river should not need to be dredged continuously to keep it open,” she said.

“This is just another expense caused by the failure of upstream states to ensure enough water flows down the system to ensure the health of the whole river system.

“This is why it is so fundamental that the Murray Darling Basin Plan, including the 450 gigalitres of environmental flows, is delivered in full.”