The Basin Plan 2012 (Cth) and the Water Act 2007 (Cth) are part of a framework to protect Australia’s water resources. The Act and the Basin Plan are currently under review.  

These reviews are critical opportunities to improve water regulation in the Murray–Darling Basin and to ensure that important issues such as climate change and First Nations water rights are properly addressed. 

In November and December 2026 there will be an opportunity for members of the public to make a submission about the Act.  

There may also be an opportunity to make submissions in the future: 

  • if the Murray Daring Basin Authority prepares a proposed amendment of the Basin Plan; and/or 
  • if any proposals to amend the Water Act are subject to public consultation, including via a Federal Parliamentary inquiry. 

What is the Water Act Review? 

The Act regulates ground and surface water resources across the Murray Darling Basin. The Act also has some minor regulatory functions outside of the Basin.  

The Australian Government has engaged an independent reviewer, Geoff Leeper, to undertake a review of the Act and to make recommendations to the Federal Minister for the Environment and Water. The recommendations from this review will influence how water is regulated and shared in Australia. 

The review will consider and make recommendations about a range of things, including: 

  • the operation of the Act and the extent to which the objects of the Act have been achieved; and  
  • opportunities under the Act to promote the principles set out in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).  

Targeted consultation with First Nations  

Between May and July 2026, Dr Teagan Shields, who is advising the reviewer, held targeted consultation sessions and sought submissions about the Act from First Nations across the Basin and across Australia. 

EDO’s submission to the Water Act Review 

 In July, the reviewer published a Discussion Paper which outlined the key issues for consideration. The public had the opportunity to provide submissions in response to the Discussion Paper. 

See EDO’s submission about the Water Act Discussion Paper here: https://www.edo.org.au/publication/submission-to-the-independent-review-of-the-water-act-2007-cth/

What’s next for the Water Act Review? 

The reviewer expects to publish a draft report of his recommendations in early November 2026. As noted above, there will be an opportunity for members of the public to make a submission about the draft report on the review in November and December 2026. 

The reviewer is due to give the final report and recommendations to the Minister for Water at the end of February 2027.  

What is the Murray-Darling Basin Plan Review? 

The Basin Plan is created under the Water Act. The Basin Plan sets the operational rules for the management of water resources in the Murray Darling Basin. This includes setting legal limits on how much can be taken from the Basin each year for things like irrigation and town water.  

Under the Act, the Murray-Darling Basin Authority is required to review the Basin Plan in 2026.  

As part of the Basin Plan review, the Authority released a Discussion Paper setting out issues and suggesting options to improve the Basin Plan. Under the Act, the review must consider the management of climate change risks. It also must consider “matters relevant to Indigenous people” including:  

  • how water could be managed in future to support spiritual, environmental, cultural and economic outcomes; and 
  • the extent to which the Basin Plan recognises and protects the interests of First Nations peoples and supports opportunities for them to participate in determining and developing priorities and strategies for the development or use of water resources, including opportunities for participation in the Basin Plan that incorporate the principle of free, prior and informed consent.   

Submissions provided to the Authority 

In May, the public had the opportunity to provide submissions to the Authority in response to the Discussion Paper.  

 EDO made recommendations about keystone issues in the Discussion Paper, including: 

  • Sustainable Diversion Limits and Environmentally Sustainable Level of Take; 
  • the Basin Plan’s response and adaptation to the impacts of climate change; and 
  • addressing the enduring impacts of First Nations water dispossession. 

See EDO’s submission about the Basin Plan Discussion Paper here: https://www.edo.org.au/publication/submission-to-the-murray-darling-basin-authority-in-response-to-the-2026-murray-darling-basin-plan-review-discussion-paper/

The EDO also prepared a submission guide to support understanding of the importance of the Basin, the legal frameworks for water management and how to make a strong, effective submission. 

Read our submission guide here: https://www.edo.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/MDB-Review-Sub-Guide-v5-260409.pdf  

Read a summary of our submission guide and recommendations here: https://www.edo.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/MDB-Review-Sub-Guide-Summary-v3.pdf   

What’s next for the Basin Plan Review? 

The Authority will give a report to the Federal Water Minister by the end of this year. As noted above, if the Authority prepares a proposed of the Basin Plan the Water Act says that the Authority must give the public an opportunity to make a submission about the proposed amendment. 

You can find out more about the review on the Authority’s website.