The South Australian Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resources Management Board has announced that the Water Allocation Plan for the River Murray Prescribed Watercourse is being updated and a draft plan released for public consultation.

Previously, a revised water allocation plan was adopted on 3 October 2017 – this plan was developed after extensive community consultation. The Board is making further amendments to ensure the water allocation plan is fully compliant with the Basin Plan and to ensure existing policies are fit-for-purpose and effectively managing issues facing the river murray and its communities.

The water allocation plan sets out the rules for the taking and use of water to ensure the South Australian portion of the River Murray is managed sustainably for all water users, including primary producers, industry, communities in the region and the environment.

Full compliance with the Basin Plan is required by July 2019. Changes to the water allocation plan have been made to the water allocation plan to incorporate Basin Plan requirements, such as including new sustainable diversion limits (SDLs).

The water allocation plan will form part of the SA River Murray Water Resource Plan. This is an accreditation document that the Department for Environment and Water (DEW) is preparing to demonstrate how South Australia is sustainably managing the River Murray in line with Basin Plan requirements. Other plans, policies and procedures, in addition to the water allocation plan, will make up the resource plan.

The Board has worked closely with members of the River Murray Advisory Committee and staff from DEW to finalise policies for inclusion in the draft water allocation plan. They are now seeking broader community feedback on the draft plan.

As part of public consultation on the draft water allocation plan, the Board will be holding drop in sessions so that community members along the river can find out more about the draft plan, the water resource plan, allocation announcements and other projects related to the River Murray. Staff from Natural Resources SA Murray-Darling Basin and DEW will be on hand to provide information at drop in sessions.

Read more about the draft plan and drop in sessions here.

If you would prefer an individual meeting with staff working on the water allocation plan please contact Peta Brettig, Senior Project Officer, on 8463 6877 or [email protected] to arrange.

The closing date for written submissions on the draft plan is 5pm Friday 14 September 2018.

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