The meeting was chaired by Mr Daryl Quinlivan. Mr Rene Woods was an apology for the meeting while all other members were present.
The Authority was updated on the NSW Long-term Diversion Limits Equivalent factors and approved the Annual Water Take Report 2023-24 (including the 2023-24 Cap Register) for publishing on the MDBA website.
The Water Take Report provides an analysis of the sustainable diversion limit (SDL) accounts, including water availability, consumptive and environmental use, and trends in water use. It is published annually by the Authority and fulfils the obligation to identify and account for held environmental water in the Basin each year.
The Authority noted that the amount of surface water held for environmental water use had increased compared to the previous year and all SDL units were compliant with Basin Plan requirements. The Report will be published on the MDBA Website.
Members were updated on key elements of the Basin Plan Review program informing the development of the Discussion Paper and noted the intention to publish in early 2026. Members were also updated on engagement activities to support the Basin Plan Review including preparations for the 2025 Basin Leadership Summit to be held in Adelaide in November.
The Authority was updated on the progress of the Sustainable Yields Summary Report and the Basin Outlook which are both scheduled to be published in late 2025.
Members endorsed initial Sustainable Diversion Limit (SDL) assessments of 30 groundwater and one surface water SDL resource units for consultation on potential response options through the Basin Plan Review Discussion Paper.
The Authority approved the review of the Environmental Watering Plan (EWP) and noted that the Review of the EWP report will be published in the coming weeks.
Members received an update from Mr Sean Sullivan, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water and a briefing from Dr Simon Banks, the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder.
Ms Vicki Manson, Head of the Australian Climate Service, also briefed the Authority on the National Climate Risk Assessment which was released on 15 September 2025, and its relevance for the Murray-Darling Basin and the Basin Plan Review.
Members received an update on current conditions and operations across the Basin, noting that dry conditions in the Murray persist and that the total MDBA Active Storage remains slightly below the long-term average for this time of year.
Mr Daryl Quinlivan (Chair)
Mr Andrew McConville (Chief Executive)
Professor Stuart Bunn
Dr Jane Doolan
Ms Belinda Duarte AM
Ms Roseanne Healy
Ms Allison Mudford
Mr Rene Woods (apology)
