Productivity Commission report says Murray-Darling Basin Plan in serious need for reform

The risk of delays and cost blowouts to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan mean serious reform is needed, according to a Productivity Commission report.

• Dead fish at Menindee: Rage erupts over Darling River disaster
• River Murray is OK for now, say SA authorities
• Darling mass fish deaths a ‘man-made disaster’

The risk of delays and cost blowouts to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan mean serious reform is needed, according to a Productivity Commission report.

The Commission has released its five-year assessment of the $13 billion Plan.

It warns that while “significant” progress has been made on returning the river system to health, there is still $4.5 billion to spend and a range of planned water-saving projects are “risky” and unlikely to be delivered on time.

The Commission says the Plan has been plagued by a lack of “transparency and candour” and emphasises the need for better reporting, monitoring, evaluation and review processes.

Federal Water Minister David Littleproud.

It recommends that state governments take the lead on the Plan instead of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, which has a conflict of interest because it supports the governments but also has to ensure compliance with the plan.

“Failing to act will be costly for the environment and taxpayers, and undermine confidence that the Basin Plan has been worthwhile,” the Commission warns.

“There is a widely held view in the community that governments have failed to provide clear and decisive direction-setting leadership.”

Federal Water Minister David Littleproud said there is evidence of improved environmental outcomes, but concedes there are “challenges going forward”.

He pointed out that the Plan has always had bipartisan support and said the Government would “consider a response to this report in consultation with Basin states and Basin communities over coming months”.

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young holding a dead fish at Menindee. Picture: Supplied

Australian Greens water spokeswoman Sarah Hanson-Young said the Plan had been undermined and that money was going to irrigators instead of the environment, and accused the Government of “burying” it by releasing it on the Friday before the Australia Day long weekend.

“We need a cop on the beat – an independent authority with teeth – that can crack down on the mismanagement and corruption ignored by governments, bureaucrats and corporate irrigators. We need an urgent Royal Commission,” she said.