What's in the Basin Plan?

The Basin Plan guides governments, regional authorities, industries and communities to sustainably manage and use the waters of the Basin.

The Basin Plan does not operate in isolation, but is part of a package of complementary reforms which are integral to its successful implementation. These include Australian Government programs to recover water and deliver environmental and regional development projects.

The Basin Plan and related programs:

• Set new adjustable sustainable diversion limits on surface and groundwater use. Read more about South Australia's supply measure projects.
• Enable the equivalent of 3200 GL of water to be returned to the environment
• Provide environmental flows to precious River Murray wetlands and floodplains
• Support environmental projects and easing of constraints to delivery of environmental flow
• Support water-efficient irrigation infrastructure. Read more about South Australia's efficiency measure projects.
• Provide for improved management of salinity and water quality
• Support the achievement of environmental objectives for the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth
• Establish new water trading rules
• Guide development and implementation of Water Resource Plans which are a central component of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan 2012. They define how water will be shared and managed within a specified area.