Reviews and reports
Reviews and reports
2023
Trade Price Reporting investigation report
October 2023
Water trade plays a crucial role in managing water scarcity in the Murray-Darling Basin. It’s essential to provide accurate and timely price information to make these markets work effectively. The Inspector-General of Water Compliance carried out an investigation to check if people disposing of a water allocation followed reporting requirements. The investigation examined the NSW Macquarie for the 2021-22 water year.
Download
Report: Investigation into trade price reporting in NSW (PDF 1.44 MB)
Report: Investigation into trade price reporting in NSW (DOCX 501 KB)
Snapshot: Investigation into trade price reporting (PDF 124 KB)
Snapshot: Investigation into trade price reporting (DOCX 715 KB)
Sustainable Diversion Limit Compliance
September 2023
This Sustainable Diversion Limit statement of compliance is the second statement since the Inspector-General's establishment in August 2021.
Sustainable Diversion Limits (SDLs) commenced on 1 July 2019. All 55 SDL resources units managed by a water resource plan are compliant. However, New South Wales did not have any water resource plans operational at the time of assessment. This means it could not be assessed for SDL compliance.
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Sustainable Diversion Limit Compliance Statement for 2021-22 (PDF 1.12 MB)
Sustainable Diversion Limit Compliance Statement for 2021-22 (DOCX 1.58 MB)
Inspector-General’s submission to the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into the effectiveness of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan
August 2023
Under the Water Act 2007 (Cth), the Productivity Commission is required to undertake an inquiry every 5 years into the effectiveness of the implementation of the Basin Plan and water resource plans. This is the second inquiry conducted by the Commission. The Inspector-General of Water Compliance (IGWC) has made a public submission to the inquiry, which is available for download below. Visit the Productivity Commission’s website for more information.
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IGWC Metering Report Card 2021-22
July 2023
This Report Card is updated each year to track progress of metering reform in the Murray-Darling Basin.
The Report Card is a point in time snapshot as at 30 June 2022.
Download
Murray-Darling Basin – Metering and Measurement Report Card - 01 Jul 2021 to 30 Jun 2022 (PDF 1.58 MB)
Murray-Darling Basin – Metering and Measurement Report Card - 01 Jul 2020 to 30 Jun 2022 (DOCX 187 KB)
Please note, this Word document is intended for accessibility purposes only. It is recommended you view this document in PDF format in the first instance.
IGWC Metering Report Card 2020-21
January 2023
The Water Act 2007 (Cth) was amended on 5 August 2021 to provide the Inspector-General of Water Compliance oversight of implementation of Basin governments’ commitments. This specifically includes the Murray-Darling Basin Compliance Compact.
The Inspector-General worked with the Basin States to develop the first metering Report Card. The Report Card identifies progress being made in water metering reforms by Basin States. States have committed to having compliant meters by July 2025.
This Report Card is updated each year to track progress.
The Report Card is a point in time snapshot as at 30 June 2021.
Download
Murray-Darling Basin – Metering and Measurement Report Card - 01 Jul 2020 – 30 Jun 2021 (PDF 1.36 MB)
Murray-Darling Basin – Metering and Measurement Report Card - 01 Jul 2020 – 30 Jun 2021 (DOCX 540 KB)
2022
Steady as it flows – An assessment of River Murray operations and environmental water management
September 2022
This assessment examined how the Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) performs its role in running the River Murray. It also looks at how the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH) manages water entitlements.
The assessment found the two organisations performing professionally.
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Steady as it flows – An assessment of River Murray operations and environmental water management (PDF 4.90 MB)
Steady as it flows – An assessment of River Murray operations and environmental water management (DOCX 4.0 MB)
Compliance and enforcement across the Murray-Darling Basin
August 2022
The Des Pearson Review looked at compliance and enforcement of water rules and regulations in the Murray–Darling Basin. Mr Pearson’s review observed there is no established Basin-wide set of key indicators that would allow for effective monitoring of compliance and enforcement activities. His review also noted there needs to be a more collaborative approach to establish Basin-wide measures showing effectiveness of compliance.
View the Des Pearson Review, and the Inspector–General’s report on the original review.
Download
Compliance and enforcement across the Murray-Darling Basin (PDF 636 KB)
Compliance and enforcement across the Murray-Darling Basin (DOCX 620 KB)
Compliance and enforcement across the Murray-Darling Basin Review by Mr Des Pearson (AO) (PDF 1.02 MB)
Compliance and enforcement across the Murray-Darling Basin Review by Mr Des Pearson (AO) (DOCX 198 KB)
Sustainable Diversion Limit Compliance
August 2022
Sustainable Diversion Limits (SDLs) commenced on July 1 2019, and are essential to the implementation and operation of the Basin Plan. SDLs limit the amount of water that can be taken from rivers and aquifers for towns, industry, and farmers. Each year, the Inspector–General of Water Compliance assesses the SDL register to ensure all areas are compliant. This is the first Annual Sustainable Diversion Limit Compliance Statement released by the Inspector–General of Water Compliance.
Download
Sustainable Diversion Limit Compliance Statement for 2020-21 (PDF 5.15 MB)
Sustainable Diversion Limit Compliance Statement for 2020-21 (DOCX 1.00 MB)
Sustainable Diversion Limit Compliance Frequently Asked Questions (PDF 93 KB)
Sustainable Diversion Limit Compliance Frequently Asked Questions (DOCX 820 KB)
Map of Groundwater Sustainable Diversion Limit Resource Units (PDF 2.95 MB)
Map of Surface Water Sustainable Diversion Limit Resource Units (PDF 1.80 MB)
2021
Access reports and reviews prior to 2021 in archived reports. These were released by either the Interim Inspector-General of Water Compliance, Interim Inspector-General of Murray–Darling Basin Water Resources or the Northern Basin Commissioner.