The genesis of the Murray Darling Basin Plan was the passing of the Water Act in 2007.
The intention was to develop a Basin Plan that would provide for the integrated management of the water resources of the Murray-Darling Basin in a way that optimises economic, social and environmental outcomes at both the Basin and catchment scales.
The proposed Basin Plan underwent extensive consultation commencing in 2010, and subsequent refinement before being adopted by the then Commonwealth Minister for Water on 22 November 2012 and receiving support from both Houses of Parliament on 29 November 2012.
The Basin Plan 2012 is to be implemented over 7 years, taking full effect from 1 July 2019 when sustainable diversion limits (SDLs) come into force.
The Murray-Darling Basin Authority is the responsible agency for preparing and overseeing the implementation of the Basin Plan. See the Murray-Darling Basin Plan on the Authority’s website.