NSW still dragging the chain, basin water ministers told

A total of 16 have been accredited as at June 17.

Other states, including Victoria, have completed their plans.

Ministers noted the release of Restoring Our Rivers: Draft Framework for delivering the 450 Gl of additional environmental water and the progress that had been made to date across jurisdictions to deliver enhanced environmental outcomes under the plan.

Ministers noted the findings and recommendations of the independent assessment of Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism (SDLAM) for consideration as basin governments continue to implement as many SDLAM projects as possible by the deadline.

The Murray-Darling Basin Authority provided an update on the Constraints Relaxation Implementation Roadmap. The roadmap will be published by the end of 2024.

The communique noted several programs are now open and more than $800 million is available to states to:

Investments can include kick-starting or expanding less water dependent industries in regional communities, new community infrastructure projects, workforce development and community support services.

Ministers were told that storage levels remained high across the basin, with southern basin dams holding about 79 per cent of capacity.

At the same time last year the dams held about 90 per cent.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s climate outlook, issued on June 20, reports that July to September rainfall is likely to be below average across much of Victoria and south-east South Australia, and above average for some southern and central areas.

Victorian Water Minister Harriet Shing was unavailable for comment on the meeting.