Murray-Darling Basin Authority

The establishment of the Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) means that, for the first time, a single agency is now responsible for planning integrated management of the water resources of the Murray–Darling Basin. In December 2008, the authority assumed responsibility for all of the functions of the former Murray–Darling Basin Commission, and is implementing the decisions made by the new Ministerial Council and the Basin Officials Committee relating to these functions. Key functions of the authority include: -preparing the Basin Plan for adoption by the Minister for Climate Change and Water, including setting sustainable limits on water that can be taken from surface and groundwater systems across the Basin -advising the minister on the accreditation of state water resource plans -developing a water rights information service which facilitates water trading across the Murray–Darling Basin -measuring and monitoring water resources in the Basin -gathering information and undertaking research engaging the community in the management of the Basin’s resources.