About us

The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH) manages Commonwealth water for the environment.

The role of the CEWH

The CEWH is a position established by the Water Act 2007 (Water Act). The CEWH's role is to manage Commonwealth environmental water holdings.

Since October 2022, Dr Simon Banks has held the role of the CEWH. He's supported by staff within the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

The CEWH is governed by the Water Act and Basin Plan 2012 (Basin Plan). The CEWH must comply with specific state and Commonwealth requirements and standards.

The CEWH is just one of many water holders in the Murray–Darling Basin. He is subject to the same fees, allocations, carryover and rules as other water users. These rules and fees often vary across states and valleys.

Objectives, targets and expected outcomes

Under the Water Act and Basin Plan, we must use water for the environment to protect and restore the rivers, wetlands and floodplains of the Basin. We must do this to align with our commitments to international agreements, such as the Ramsar Convention and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS).

The Basin Plan sets the environmental objectives, processes and principles that guide the management of water for the environment. It also sets broad targets to measure the progress towards meeting those objectives.

The Basin-wide environmental watering strategy builds on the objectives in the Basin Plan. It describes the expected outcomes from implementing the Basin Plan and is updated every 5 years. These outcomes focus on 4 components:

• river flows and connectivity
• native vegetation
• waterbirds
• native fish.

Long-term watering plans prepared by Basin state governments further define the objectives, targets and expected outcomes at a valley-scale.

Before the start of each water year, the Murray–Darling Basin Authority and Basin state governments identify annual environmental watering priorities. These outline the environmental water needs for the coming year at both a whole-of-Basin and valley level.

We prepare our own water management plan to outline how we will use water in the year ahead in line with these priorities.

Each year, as part of the Basin Plan's monitoring and evaluation, Basin governments, including the CEWH, report on how they're implementing the Basin Plan. You can find the latest implementation reports on the Murray-Darling Basin Authority website.

First Nations environmental and cultural outcomes

Under the Basin Plan, environmental water holders must consider First Nations' values when undertaking environmental watering.

We're committed to working with First Nations people in the planning, delivery and monitoring of water for the environment.

For more information, visit Working with First Nations people.

Who we work with

We work with different groups and individuals across the Basin to coordinate the planning and delivery of water for the environment. This includes:

• state government land managers and environmental water holders
• river operators
• scientists
• First Nations people
• local communities and interest groups
• landholders
• the Murray-Darling Basin Authority.

We're also part of established committees and groups. This includes the Environmental Water Committee (EWC), Northern Basin Environmental Watering Group (NBEWG)and Southern Connected Basin Environmental Watering Committee (SCBEWC).

Local knowledge is key to getting the best possible results. It helps us prioritise what parts of the Basin need water each year. To learn more, visit Community and partners.

Find out more

Subscribe to receive updates about the CEWH. You can also follow us on social media:

• Facebook: Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder
• X: @theCEWH

Individuals and groups are encouraged to submit suggestions for how we use water for the environment. For more information, contact your Local Engagement Officer.