Reviews and reports
Reviews and reports
2023
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.
Audit of the management of overland flow harvesting in the Lower Balonne
June 2023
This audit focussed on the Condamine-Balonne water resource plan area. Specifically, it focussed on management of overland flow. The aim of the audit was to assess whether the Qld Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water is meeting Basin Plan requirements. It also assessed the Condamine-Balonne water resource plan requirements.
Read the audit report, snapshot overview and the Queensland Management Responses.
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Audit of the management of overland flow harvesting in the Lower Balonne (PDF 557 KB)
Audit of the management of overland flow harvesting in the Lower Balonne (DOCX 760 KB)
Snapshot overview - Audit of management of overland flow harvesting the Lower Balonne (PDF 91 KB)
Snapshot overview - Audit of management of overland flow harvesting the Lower Balonne (DOCX 704 KB)
Qld Management Responses to Recommendations from Audit (PDF 838 KB)
Qld Management Responses to Recommendations from Audit (DOCX 315 KB)
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
Report - Accounting for Interstate Trade in the Northern Basin
October 2022
The purpose of this audit was to assess arrangements in NSW and Qld for recording interstate trades in the Border Rivers catchment. It was also aimed at ensuring interstate trade data is accurately accounted for. The Border Rivers catchment is the only catchment where surface water can be traded between Qld and NSW. The Inspector–General of Water Compliance has identified a number of process and accounting changes that should be implemented to improve the accuracy and integrity of water trade in the Border Rivers.
Read the audit report, snapshot overview, and management responses from Qld and NSW.
Download
Report - Accounting for Interstate Trade in the Northern Basin (PDF 850 KB)
Report - Accounting for Interstate Trade in the Northern Basin (DOCX 1.12 MB)
Audit Snapshot (PDF 78 KB)
Audit Snapshot (DOCX 700 KB)
NSW Government Final Management Response (PDF 187 KB)
NSW Government Final Management Response (DOCX 180 KB)
QLD Government Final Management Response (PDF 112 KB)
QLD Government Final Management Response (DOCX 79 KB)
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)
Audit of Goulburn–Murray Water disclosure obligations under the Basin Plan
July 2022
This audit was conducted to assess whether Goulburn–Murray Water (GMW) was meeting disclosure obligations around water trades, as required by the Basin Plan. GMW was selected for this audit because it is the largest approval authority in Victoria and an Irrigation Infrastructure Operator with more than 20,000 customers.
View the audit report and report snapshot.
Download
Audit report - Goulburn-Murray Water disclosure obligations under the Basin Plan (PDF 162 KB)
Audit report - Goulburn-Murray Water disclosure obligations under the Basin Plan (DOCX 142 KB)
Audit snapshot - Goulburn-Murray Water disclosure obligations under the Basin Plan (PDF 88 KB)
Audit snapshot - Goulburn-Murray Water disclosure obligations under the Basin Plan (DOCX 701 KB)
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.