Water resource plans
Water resource plans are key to ensuring sustainable diversion limits are not exceeded. They are a key tool for implementing the Basin Plan because they outline how each region aims to achieve community, environmental, economic and cultural outcomes and ensure that state water management rules meet the Basin Plan objectives. The plans both reflect state arrangements currently in operation and incorporate arrangements that strengthen water management at a local level.
The water resource plans identify objectives and outcomes regarding the management of water for First Nations people. They also outline the risks to the water resources and provide strategies to address them.
The plans must specify:
- how much water can be taken annually for consumptive use (urban, industrial and agricultural) in a way that meets the long-term sustainable diversion limit
- how water for the environment is managed, including supporting the Basin-wide strategy on water for the environment
- how water quality and salinity will be managed
- how water will be managed during extreme events such as flood or drought
- how interception activities, such as dams capturing run off, commercial plantations, mining and floodplain harvesting, will be managed and monitored.
Each Basin state is responsible for developing and complying with its water resource plans. The Murray–Darling Basin Authority assesses the plans and provides advice for accreditation. Water resource plans must be accredited by the Australian Government Minister responsible for water. Water resource plans are adjusted and reaccredited over time as new and improved information becomes available.
South Australian Water Resource Plans
- South Australian River Murray – surface waters and floodplain of the River Murray and Lakes Alexandrina and Albert.
- Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges – groundwater and surface waters of the Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges and the Marne Saunders Prescribed Water Resources Areas.
- South Australian Murray Region – surface and groundwater resources of the remainder of the South Australian Murray-Darling Basin and the Coorong and Murray Mouth.
Water management in the South Australian portion of the Murray-Darling Basin is controlled by multiple state legislative instruments, plans and other documents. Relevant parts of these documents and their water management controls form part of the water resource plans to demonstrate how we are meeting our Basin Plan obligations.
How do water resource plans affect me?
Water resource plans do not alter how people take and use water for their businesses or household consumption in South Australia.
The Landscape South Australia Act 2019, local water allocation plans, and water affecting activity policies control how and where you can take or use water. These plans and policies can be found on each Landscape Board website.
Note: Since South Australia’s water resource plans were accredited by the Australian Government Minister, parts of several state instruments that were also accredited as part of the plans have been amended or replaced. One of the key changes is the Landscape South Australia Act 2019 replacing the Natural Resources Management Act 2004. While some of the legislative instruments and other documents referred to in the plans are not current, the water resource plans remain in effect. All instruments and documents accredited as part of the water resource plans can be viewed on the MDBA website.
The South Australian Government is working with the MDBA and the Office of the Inspector General of Water Compliance to identify the best approach to updating and reaccrediting the plans. This process will ensure that the updated plans meet local water management needs and Basin Plan requirements.
