Tanya Plibersek, Minister for the Environment and Water today announced formal accreditation of a second Murray–Darling Basin Water Resource Plan in New South Wales. 

The second accreditation marks a key step for the New South Wales government to meet their commitment to deliver significant components of the Murray–Darling Basin Plan.

The New South Wales Fractured Rock Water Resource Plan covers groundwater stored within the geological rock mass of the NSW Murray–Darling Basin.

The plan was recommended for accreditation by the Murray–Darling Basin Authority as it is consistent with the Basin Plan.

The Minister has accepted advice from the Murray–Darling Basin Authority and accredited the plan.

Today’s announcement moves New South Wales another step up the progress ladder to resolve these overdue Plans. 

With two formally accredited, 5 formally submitted to the MDBA for assessment and 13 still yet to be submitted.  

Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment and Water, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP:

“It’s encouraging to see more progress from New South Wales to deliver their Water Resource Plans.  

“We are determined to deliver the Basin Plan in full, through cooperation with Basin States. This is what we saw at the recent Ministerial Council and having this second plan is another step forward. 

“I understand the feedback from First Nations people in the area and appreciate Minister Anderson committing to working the community over the next 12 months to resolve outstanding concerns. 

“While this is a pleasing result, there are still 13 NSW water resource plans yet to be submitted after almost four years and I look forward to receiving these from NSW in the near future.” 

For more information on water resource plans, visit Water resource plans | Murray-Darling Basin Authority (mdba.gov.au)