NSW has been lagging behind other jurisdictions, with only 16 of its 22 plans completed.
“I’m checking basin states are only taking an agreed, environmentally sustainable amount of water from the system to maintain a healthy basin for all users across agriculture, the environment, First Nations and communities,” Inspector General of Water Compliance Troy Grant said.
“Yes, all reported jurisdictions were compliant but I’m not satisfied it’s conclusive,” he said.
“NSW couldn’t be assessed due to unaccredited water resource plans.
“Mechanisms like the SDL assessment can’t be enforced without the plans and are central to a successful [Murray-Darling] Basin Plan.”
Currently, NSW operates under a bilateral agreement which allows its SDL models to change yearly but this won’t be allowed when water resource plans are in place.
“There were zero plans in NSW when I called this out in 2022 and I’m pleased the state is on the right track to uphold its share of water compliance, with 16 of 20 water resource plans now accredited and operational,” Mr Grant said.
“This means the missing piece of the basin-wide picture in SDL compliance will start coming to light in my next assessment. Make no mistake, I will hold jurisdictions to account.”
Enforcing compliance with the basin plan was shifted away from the Murray-Darling Basin Authority and vested in the inspector general from 2021.
The position was established by the former Liberal National Party federal government.
Sustainable diversion limits are how much water, on average, can be used in the basin by towns, communities, industry and farmers.
