Water management plan audits

Auditing water management plans to ascertain whether their provisions are being given effect to

The Commission has a role under Section 44 of the Water Management Act 2000 to audit water management plans within the first five years of each plan to ascertain whether their provisions are being given effect to.

The water management plans comprise:

• Water sharing plans - statutory documents that establish the rules for sharing water between the environment and other water users.
• Floodplain management plans - provide the framework for coordinating flood work development to minimise future changes to flooding behaviour, and for increasing awareness of risk to life and property from flooding.

The Commission is undertaking limited assurance audits in accordance with the following Australian standards:

• Standard on Assurance Engagements ASAE 3000: Assurance Engagements other than Audits or Reviews of Historical Financial Information
• Standard on Assurance Engagements ASAE 3100: Compliance Engagements
• Auditing Standard ASQC 1: Quality Control for Firms that Perform Audits and Reviews of Financial Reports and Other Financial Information, and Other Assurance Engagements.

Our auditors abide by the Commission’s code of ethics and conduct. Key to how we operate are the following ethical requirements: integrity, objectivity, professional competence and due care, confidentiality and professional behaviour.

The Commission’s role commenced on 1 December 2018 under changes to the Water Management Act 2000. The Commission’s audit approach is described in the audit framework.

Audit scopes

At the commencement of each group of audits, the Commission may seek feedback on its preliminary audit scopes. There is no consultation underway at present.

Final audit scopes for current audits:

• audit scope - water sharing plans
• audit scope - historical floodplain management plans.

Stay informed

The Commission will be updating this webpage as the audits progress. If you would like to receive updates on the progress of audits, you can sign up to the Mailing list.