Murray-Darling Basin Authority chief executive Andrew McConville said people had plenty of different views about how water should be managed, but there was a clear message underneath it all: the basin plan matters, and people want it to work better.
“Across thousands of submissions and conversations, people told us how much the basin matters to them, their livelihoods, their communities and the health of the rivers they depend on,” Mr McConville said.
“This report is a reflection of what we heard, in people’s own words and highlights the issues they believe are most important for the future.”
During the 12-week consultation period, MDBA teams spoke directly with over 2900 participants, connected with more than 500 First Nations peoples and groups on Country, and visited almost 100 towns and regional centres across the basin.
Close to 2500 submissions were received.
Mr McConville said there were many areas of common ground, including getting the most out of environmental water, improving water quality and critical human water supplies, doing more to support native fish, and managing land and water together.
The submissions also identified clear differences, especially around future water recovery, how to deal with climate risks, and how to balance environmental needs with farming and community wellbeing.
“Many submissions spoke about the effects associated with water recovery and the lasting toll on their communities,” Mr McConville said.
“We also heard First Nations peoples speak of their pain of watching Water Country decline, and the impacts of this on community wellbeing.
“None of that is easy to hear, but it’s important.”
The Basin Plan Review is a legislated 10-yearly process to ensure the basin plan remains fit for purpose as communities, industries and the environment face new challenges, including a changing climate.
The review must be completed in 2026.
“The feedback we received during the public consultation now sits alongside our science, modelling and policy work as we shape our recommendations,” Mr McConville said.
“Ultimately, the Australian Government will use the review to shape decisions on the future of water management in the basin.”
Between now and the release of the review report, the MDBA will undertake further targeted engagement with governments and peak groups.
A public webinar will be held later in 2026 to keep people informed on progress and the Regional Engagement Officers, alongside regional champions will continue to undertake visits across the basin.
The review report will include a series of recommendations to governments on how to improve basin water management over the next decade.
The What We Heard report and submissions with permission to be published are available at mdba.gov.au/water-management/2026-basin-plan-review
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