Murray–Darling Basin First Nations water report 2023-24

About this document

We’re working with First Nations peoples to strengthen their role, authority and ownership in water management.

This supports their influence in decisions that shape the Basin’s future.

First Nations peoples have a deep and enduring relationship with Country. They are the Traditional Custodians of the land, sky and waters across Australia.

We report each year on our engagements with First Nations peoples in managing Basin water. It is required under the Water Amendment (Restoring Our Rivers) Act 2023.

This report covers our engagements with First Nations peoples in 2023–24.

Key highlights

Highlights from the 2023–24 report include:

• Established interim governance arrangements for the $100 million Basin Aboriginal Water Entitlements Program. This allowed us to begin purchasing water.
• Worked with First Nations peoples to co‑design the $20 million Cultural Flows Planning for Cultural Economies Program.
• Supported independent First Nations advice to government on renewing the National Water Initiative.
• Established the First Nations Water Branch. The Branch will lead the government’s work on long‑term inland water outcomes for First Nations peoples.
• Continued work to develop a National Closing the Gap Inland Waters Target (15C).

Read more

• Murray–Darling Basin
• First Nations water policy
• Intergovernmental agreements on water reform
• First Nations participation in environmental watering