The details of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, signed in November 2012, are only now emerging. The many political compromises mean the outcomes are not as expected. The implementation process has involved five years of complex technical investigations, development of methodologies and political negotiations but few opportunities for public input.
Among targets in the Plan, seven intermediate targets require no loss or degradation to 30 June 2019 in flows, connectivity, environmental assets and functions, the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth regime, and condition and recruitment of native species. Long term targets from 1 July 2019 require improvement in the same parameters. The clearest targets in the Basin Plan are which are the targets for environmental watering.
The concept that ‘equivalent environmental outcomes’ can be achieved with less water is reducing the amount of water available to even lower volumes. Not enough water is being recovered to deliver the expected outcomes of the Plan, including improving condition of red gums, increased abundance of waterbirds and improved distribution of native fish. Environmental watering requirements for red gum and black box are not met by 2750 GL/year. The Chowilla and Coorong icon sites require 4000 GL/year. Flows are insufficient to keep the mouth open 90% of time or to flush 2 m tonnes of salt every year. While most of 16 flow and biodiversity outcomes are being met by environmental watering, intermediate Plan targets are not being met and key parameters continue to decline. There are also serious concerns about how science is being applied to justify reductions in water recovery targets. Vigilant independent scientific review is needed to ensure Basin Plan outcomes are delivered as intended.