Murray–Darling Basin Agreement

The Murray–Darling Basin Agreement is Schedule 1 of the Water Act 2007 (Cwlth).

The purpose of the Murray–Darling Basin Agreement (clause 1) is to ‘promote and co-ordinate effective planning and management for the equitable, efficient and sustainable use of the water and other natural resources of the Murray-Darling Basin, including by implementing arrangements agreed between the Contracting Governments to give effect to the Basin Plan, the Water Act and State water entitlements.’

The Murray–Darling Basin Agreement is being reviewed. The current Murray–Darling Basin Ministerial Council agreed at its second meeting that the 'Terms of Reference for the Review of the Murray-Darling Basin Agreement' be made publicly available. Please click on the link to view the terms of reference.

The first Murray–Darling Basin Agreement was signed by the governments of the Commonwealth, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia in 1987. In its initial form, this agreement was an amendment — the final one — to the River Murray Waters Agreement, which had been in place since 1915.

Five years later in 1992, a totally new Murray–Darling Basin Agreement was signed by the same governments, replacing the River Murray Waters Agreement. Queensland became a signatory in 1996, and in 1998, the Australian Capital Territory formalised its participation in the agreement through a memorandum of understanding. The agreement was ratified by legislation enacted by the parliaments of all the signatory governments.