Follow us on Linkedin Water sharing plan reviews
We have a statutory role under Section 43A of the Water Management Act 2000 to independently review water sharing plans approaching expiry and report our findings to the Minister for Water.
Our reviews help to identify opportunities to improve water sharing plan provisions and support better outcomes for the environment and people. The Minister considers our report before deciding to extend or make a new water sharing plan.
Strategic advice
Connectivity Expert Panel
In September 2023, the Minister for Water convened the Connectivity Expert Panel, chaired by the Natural Resources Commission (Amy Dula, Director of Programs) to review the analyses the Department has undertaken and to provide an independent assessment of its adequacy.
In April 2024 the panel released an interim report (available on the Department's website) outlining its interim findings and recommendations.
In July 2024, the panel provided its final report (available on the Department's website) to the Minister. The panel proposed a suite of recommendations to provide for a holistic approach to connectivity across the Northern Basin taking into consideration the range of climatic conditions likely to be experienced. The Panel’s analysis indicates that, if implemented, the recommendations will considerably improve achievement of environmental water requirements across the Barwon-Darling and provide over 50GL of additional annual flows into Menindee Lakes for downstream needs.
Advice to Connectivity Expert Panel – improving outcomes in the Lower Darling-Baaka River
- Advice to Connectivity Expert Panel - Improving outcomes in the Lower Darling-Baaka River (July 2024)
The Office of the NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer's independent review into the 2023 fish deaths in the Darling-Baaka River at Menindee recommended prioritising the review of the Water Sharing Plan for the Murray and Lower Darling Regulated River Water Sources 2016 with a focus on the adequacy of Plan provisions for meeting environmental and water quality objectives (Recommendation 1.3).
To inform our review of the Water Sharing Plan for the NSW Murray and Lower Darling Regulated Rivers Water Sources 2016, we undertook detailed analysis of water quality and environmental needs in the Lower Darling-Baaka and the operation of Menindee Lakes. The Connectivity Expert Panel asked us to share our analysis with them to inform their report.
We provided this advice in July 2024.
This advice was developed in consultation with leading experts in the water quality and environmental water needs of the Lower Darling-Baaka, and was provided to relevant agencies for review and comment prior to finalisation. Consistent with our commitment to transparency, and with the support of the Minister for Water, we are making this paper publicly available.
We have finalised our review of the Water Sharing Plan for the NSW Murray and Lower Darling Regulated Rivers Water Sources 2016 and submitted our final review report to the Minister in 2024. Further information is available on the completed reviews page.
The review has been undertaken consistent with our responsibilities under Section 43A of the NSW Water Management Act 2000, and has also considered findings from the Chief Scientist and Engineer’s report.
You can read more about the water sharing plan on the NSW legislation web page.
