Restoring the Murray to health

We all depend on healthy rivers which are not poisoned by salt. The best protection for our farming, regional and metropolitan communities is to keep our lifeblood flowing.

The Murray-Darling needs a long-term sustainable plan to restore the Basin to a healthy condition that can be maintained for future generations. The national significance of the Murray-Darling River — our lifeblood — cannot be underestimated.

The rivers are a water source for Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and the ACT, and are vital to Australia’s environmental and economic prosperity.

Decades of chronic overuse has significantly damaged the river system, upsetting the balance between the natural environment and agricultural irrigation

In less than a century, water extraction from the Murray-Darling Basin has increased by 500%.

So much water has been diverted from the Murray-Darling that its wetlands, nesting water birds and fish populations are severely depleted: in some parts of the Basin over 90% of floodplain wetlands have been destroyed; only 10% of our native fish population survives.

The recent floods and rain brought some relief to the Basin and temporarily revived water bird populations, but Australia is a continent of droughts and flooding rains.

We urgently need to change the way water is managed to ensure the river’s future. We all depend on it for food, water and life — it’s our shared interest.

Unfortunately, the proposed reductions in water diversions in the draft plan which was open for public review till mid-April fail the key tests for a healthy river.

Read statement from Australia’s leading river scientists.

As the Murray-Darling Basin Plan enters the final stages of development, we have an unprecendented opportunity to get the balance right between the natural environment and agricultural irrigation.

Within the next few months, a final Plan is likely to be sent to the water minister Tony Burke. The most effective way to ensure the lasting sustainability and security of the Murray is for federal environment minister Tony Burke to only approve a plan which meets the key scientific requirements to protect and restore the environment of the Basin for all Australians.  The final plan which is likely to be put to a vote before Federal Parliament later this year must meet the key tests for a healthy river.

We believe that the benchmark for a good plan is a river that is not being poisoned by salt, that flows, that is alive

What are the key tests for the Murray-Darling Basin Plan?

The Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) and the federal government must deliver a plan that guarantees to:

1. Flush out the salt in the Murray River so the water is usable;
2. Keep the Murray mouth open;
3. Protect and restore the Basin’s key environmental assets and functions;
4. Halt the decline of waterbirds, fish, red gums and other flora and fauna; and
5. Prepare the environment so it copes much better during drought.

• Download and read the draft Basin Plan.
• Read ACF's submission to the draft Murray-Darling Basin Plan. 

What will $10 billion deliver for the Murray-Darling Basin?

The federal government has committed around $10 billion to return water to the Murray-Darling and help irrigators adjust to the changes necessary to provide a more sustainable Basin.

A healthy Basin creates enormous economic benefits. Industries such as floodplain grazing, recreational fishing and tourism will benefit significantly from increased environmental flows, with major cultural benefits to Indigenous Traditional Owners

Read the independent economic assessment of a healthy Murray-Darling Basin

Over the next few months, the MDBA and water minister Tony Burke are  making a decision about how much water should be returned to keep our rivers flowing, our wetlands healthy and to protect the water quality of rural communities and large cities such as Canberra and Adelaide.

This decision that needs to be based on the best knowledge and strongest science available.

What can I do?

• Donate to the campaign.