About the Murray-Darling Basin
The Murray-Darling Basin is a system of interconnected rivers and lakes covering most of inland NSW, extending from Queensland to South Australia. It is the twentieth largest river catchment in the world. It covers more than a million square kilometres, and contains 22 major catchments.
The sharing of water between all users in the Basin, including the environment, is important both nationally and for the more than 2.3 million people that live there, including people from over 50 different First Nations.
The Basin is also home to 16 internationally significant wetlands, 35 endangered species and 120 waterbird species.
The Basin in managed together by the Australian Government and the respective State Governments of, NSW, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory.
Murray-Darling Basin Plan
The Murray-Darling Basin Plan (the Basin Plan) was developed as a requirement of the Commonwealth Water Act 2007.
It sets the amount of water that can be taken from the Basin each year, while leaving enough for our rivers, lakes and wetlands and the plants and animals that depend on them. This amount is called the Sustainable Diversion Limit (SDL).
Murray-Darling Basin Authority
The Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) is an independent statutory agency in the Australian Government. The MDBA is responsible for planning the Basin's water resources as a whole and working with Basin states, industries and communities to manage the Basin’s water resources.
Find out more at the Murray Darling Basin Authority website.
NSW position on Murray-Darling Basin matters
The MDBA is undertaking its first 10 yearly review of the Basin Plan in 2026. The MDBA released a Discussion Paper in early 2026 and invited submissions to shape the development of recommendations on how the Basin Plan and Basin water management can be improved.
Read the NSW Government submission to the Basin Plan Review 2026.
Read the NSW vision for future Basin Plan implementation. This builds on our submission to the Basin Plan Review and the NSW Alternatives to Buybacks Plan which was released in February 2024.
Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism (SDLAM)
The Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism (SDLAM) is a Murray-Darling Basin Plan program designed to allow environmental outcomes for rivers, wetlands and wildlife to be achieved using less water. It consists of supply, constraints and efficiency measure projects.
In 2017, the Basin states and the Australian Government agreed on a package of 36 supply and constraints projects across the southern-connected Murray-Darling Basin. This package of work aims to recover 605 GL of water each year for the river system.
The NSW Government was the lead or co-proponent for the delivery of 22 of the 36 SDLAM projects but has since withdrawn one project and in 2025, Basin Governments agreed to notify two new NSW-led SDLAM projects.
As of 30 June 2026, as per Basin Plan requirements, the Basin Officials Committee (BOC) agreed to amendments or withdrawals of SDLAM projects to reflect projects that will be in operation by 31 December 2026.
NSW has already completed 9 SDLAM projects and is making significant progress to deliver our remaining projects by the end of 2026, in collaboration with local communities, key stakeholders and other Basin states, with funding from the Australian Government for infrastructure works.
The final decision of the BOC with regards to projects in operation, those amended and in progress and those withdrawn is available on the Murray-Darling Basin Authority website.
Our current supply projects
Supply projects are improved ways to manage the Murray-Darling Basin’s rivers to more efficiently deliver water for the environment. Projects include environmental works such as building or improving river or water management infrastructure or changes to operating rules.
The SDLAM Acceleration Program brings forward over $330 million worth of investment in regional infrastructure to help implement the Basin Plan. The Acceleration Program aims to deliver three SDLAM projects and two key components of one SDLAM project to deliver up to 45 GL of the 605 GL SDLAM target. Find out more.
The Better Baaka program is a holistic, system-wide approach to regional water infrastructure planning and operations to address the issues facing the Darling-Baaka River system. The program includes the rescoped Menindee Lakes SDLAM project. Find out more.
The Better Bidgee program considers a range of initiatives, including the rescoped SDLAM Yanco Creek Offtake Project, to improve connectivity throughout the Murrumbidgee system and deliver upon Basin Plan outcomes. Find out more.
Our current constraints projects
Constraints projects aim to overcome some of the physical barriers that impact delivering water in the Murray-Darling Basin. Constraints projects can include changes to physical features such as crossings and bridges. They can also change river operating practices and rules.
The Reconnecting River Country Program aims to achieve a balance of economic, social, cultural and environmental outcomes across southern NSW by improving wetland and floodplain connectivity. Find out more
Our current efficiency projects
Efficiency projects are activities that change water use practices and save water for the environment. Projects can include upgrading irrigation systems, lining water delivery channels or installing water meters, along with water productivity improvements in manufacturing or irrigated agriculture, or changes to urban water management practices to reduce water.
The Off-Farm Efficiency Program aims to better prepare communities for a water constrained future and providing economic stimulus in regional areas. Find out more.
The MDBA website has information about other projects and programs also being delivered to sustainably manage the Basin.
Water resource plans
Under the Basin Plan, there are limits for the Basin as a whole, with additional limits for individual valleys and catchments, as to how much water can be taken from the system. To ensure these limits are not exceeded, NSW is required to develop 20 Water resource plans.
Find out about our Water resource plans and their current status
