The Basin Community Committee (BCC) proxy Chair joined the meeting virtually and provided an update on recent BCC meetings, and recent themes emerging from community consultations on the Basin Plan Review Discussion Paper. The Committee noted an update on the recruitment process for an additional First Nations member to the BCC which will be formalised with the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council (Ministerial Council).
Members discussed the status of Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism (SDLAM) supply measure projects ahead of the 30 June 2026 statutory deadline for amendments and withdrawals. Further, the Committee noted the legislated timeframes and funding arrangements for constraints projects, discussing potential ways to deliver constraints relaxation.
The BOC agreed to support a proposal for further works as part of the Restoring Flows to the Mallee Floodplain Project which will progress to the MDBA for approval.
Members noted progress on joint venture assets works and progress towards development of a multi-year workplan and budget.
The BOC noted that the Ministerial Council approved the River Murray Operations Strategic Asset Management Plan (the Plan) in March 2024 to support the transition to a multi-year budget, with the current version adequately supporting existing investment proposals. The MDBA plans to review the Plan for Ministerial Council endorsement before the 2027-28 financial year.
Members noted planned remedial works at the Pamamaroo Inlet Regulator and the process for managing any operational risks, benefits and actions during the works.
The BOC met with Anthea Harris, the Independent Reviewer appointed to lead the review of the Water Act 2007 (Cth) and received an overview of the proposed timeline and process for the review. Members noted the pathway forward for amendments to the Murray-Darling Basin Agreement and received a progress update on the Statutory Review of the Inspector-General of Water Compliance.
Members noted the release of the Basin Plan Review Discussion paper on 5 February 2026, marking the beginning of the 12-week public consultation period (closing 1 May 2026). The BOC discussed upcoming engagement activities and insights to-date.
Members also noted the positive outcomes of the MDBA Basin Salinity Management 2030 Comprehensive Report 2024-25. This successful and collaborative program has met the Basin salinity target for the sixteenth consecutive year, with jointly managed salt interception schemes diverting more than 804,000 tonnes of salt from the river systems and adjacent landscapes in 2023-24 and 2024-25.
BOC will next meet in June 2026.
