Inspector-General flexes equity muscles

The Inspector-General of Water Compliance (IGWC), the Honourable Troy Grant, has set the expectation for sustainable diversion limits (SDL). These SDLs are expected to be adhered to to ensure fair water use across the Murray-Darling Basin.

Basin states were put on notice after the IGWC could not see a complete picture in its sustainable diversion limit compliance assessment for the 2022-23 water accounting year.

“I’m checking that Basin states are only taking an agreed-upon, environmentally sustainable amount of water from the system to maintain a healthy Basin for all users across agriculture, the environment, First Nations, and communities,” said Mr Grant.

“All reported jurisdictions were compliant, but I’m not satisfied with its conclusion. New South Wales couldn’t be assessed due to unaccredited water resource plans (WRPs).

“Mechanisms like the SDL assessment can’t be enforced without WRPs and are central to a successful Basin Plan.”

New South Wales operates under a bilateral agreement that allows its SDL models to change yearly, but this won’t be allowed when WRPs are in place.

“When I called this out in 2022, there were zero WRPs in New South Wales. I’m pleased the state is on the right track to uphold its share of water compliance, with 16 of 20 WRPs now accredited and operational,” Mr Grant said.

“This means the missing piece of the Basin-wide picture in SDL compliance will start coming to light in my next assessment. Make no mistake, I will hold jurisdictions to account.”

The Water Amendment (Restoring Our Rivers) Bill 2023 strengthened the IGWC’s powers to judge a ‘reasonable excuse’ for non-compliance, require an action plan and progress report to address non-compliance, and audit Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s SDL calculations.

The Federal Government’s own report, the Independent Review into the Inspector-General of Water Compliance, reiterated the importance of the independent regulator overseeing SDL compliance.

“The stated rationale for having a Register of Take directed towards SDLs is to assist with compliance assessments against the SDL. Logically then, it should be a responsibility held by the compliance entity, the IGWC,” the report states.

The IGWC will continue to use all its tools, including assessments, to seek compliance and improvements across the basin.

Read the SDL compliance assessment on the Reviews and Reports page.

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