Statment from Water Minister re: Murray Darling Basin

Queensland today joined with other Murray Darling Basin states and the Australian Government to ensure the ongoing health and sustainability of the Murray Darling Basin.

The Palaszczuk Government committed to the Murray-Darling Basin Compliance Compact to ensure the future of Queensland water users who rely on it to manage their farming operations.

Through this agreement, Queensland will work with our Basin partners to strengthen governance and deliver an action plan based on recommendations from the Murray-Darling Basin Water Compliance Review.

Earlier this year I commissioned an independent audit, which has specifically identified areas in which Queensland can do better.

The audit identified that our systems and resourcing require urgent attention, we need to introduce robust governance of measurement and compliance and implement a new policy for water metering.

I acknowledge we need to lift our game and as Minister I am committed to addressing these matters.

Our new Queensland Rural Water Management Program is an important first step.

I believe it will provide further confidence to stakeholders and water users.

While the Basin region will be our initial priority, we will roll out similar reforms across the state through the Rural Water Management Program.  

While in Canberra I also called on the Federal Government to provide Queensland with funding - as it has with other states - to support the implementation of these important reforms.

I thank my state collegues joining with Queensland on these important reforms.

Media contact: David Potter 0428 411 617