The way forward: Continuing policy and management reforms in the Murray–Darling Basin

摘要: Abstract The major water resource policy and management reforms that have occurred in Australia's Murray–Darling Basin (MDB) over the past 30 years made a good start to ensuring MDB is healthy sustainable working into future. This particularly true of Plan $A13 billion being invested recover for environment. Many emerging challenges remain achieving this goal next 30 years, 2050 beyond, given an increased frequency drought hotter dryer future climate facing. In chapter, we identify discuss six desirable changes current Plan, including further adjustments diversion limits (SDL) revisions environmental objectives related because change; addressing quality issues; improving management; strengthening links with Lower Lakes, Coorong coastal zone; monitoring, evaluation, adaptive compliance arrangements. scheduled 2026 review provides opportunity implement these at scale. Additionally, also identified three aimed achieve more integrated implementation effective catchment ongoing engagement all stakeholders—including rural regional communities, Aboriginal people, irrigation industries—in well-designed, independent processes deliberative decision-making codesign; integration development linked areas, change adaptation, development, agricultural transitions. We proposed key elements required process be successful: • Vision—A clear statement why approach managing would beneficial. Better processes—The vision ‘road map’ implementing could developed via initial independently convened involving stakeholders state Commonwealth government representatives. Leadership from ministers (e.g. water, agriculture, environment, development) provide appropriate authorising environment work need develop widely accepted vision. draw out some ‘key lessons’ relevance others involved multijurisdictional Basins.