A call for an ambitious new Murray–Darling Basin Plan

The Murray–Darling is Australia’s largest river system — stretching thousands of kilometers across south-eastern Australia. Its rivers are the lifeblood of communities, sustaining towns, farms, culture and unique ecosystems.

For Traditional Owners these waters are sacred — central to identity, culture, cultural economies and wellbeing.
For farmers, they are a vital source of livelihood. For millions of Australians, they provide clean drinking water and places for recreation, reflection and connection with nature. And for the many native species that depend on the Basin’s rivers, wetlands and floodplains, these environments provide essential habitat.

But the Murray–Darling river system is in trouble.

The original Murray–Darling Basin Plan, introduced by the Australian Government in 2012, set out to restore the health of the Basin’s rivers. While there has been some progress, the system continues to decline. Where environmental water has been delivered, we have seen genuine improvements — but far too little water has made its way back to the river.

Key parts of the Plan, such as removing barriers that prevent natural flooding, have stalled. As a result, the flood events needed to sustain wetlands and floodplains cannot be delivered. Toxic algal blooms, mass fish kills, declining waterbird and fish populations, and reduced water quality all point to a river system under severe stress. Climate change is adding further pressure, bringing hotter temperatures and less water flowing into rivers.

Restoring the Murray–Darling to long-term health demands bold action now. We must choose a better future — one that puts healthy rivers, the legal rights of Traditional Owners and healthy communities at the centre. A future where water use is balanced with the needs of the river itself, ensuring future generations inherit clean water and thriving landscapes.

The 2026 review of the Basin Plan is our opportunity to make this future a reality. This is not the time for incremental, cautious steps. The next Basin Plan must be ambitious and courageous. We call on the Murray–Darling Basin Authority, Minister Watt and the Albanese Government to seize this moment — to act boldly, turn the system’s decline around, and leave a legacy of healthy rivers, Traditional Owners with water rights enshrined in law, and thriving communities for generations to come.