Report card--Murray-Darling Basin--2001.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Water Resource Management
• Ecology

Background:

• The Murray-Darling Basin (MDB) faces ongoing riverine environment deterioration.
• A water "Cap" was implemented in 1995 to limit consumptive water diversions and protect riverine ecosystems.
• Decades of decline necessitate significant interventions for ecological restoration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explain the rationale behind recent MDB decisions impacting river health.
• To outline the Integrated Catchment Management (ICM) Policy and its supporting Sustainable Rivers Audit.
• To present the current state of the Basin's rivers and ongoing restoration actions.

Main Methods:

• Review of MDB Ministerial Council and Commission decisions.
• Explanation of the Integrated Catchment Management (ICM) Policy framework.
• Presentation of a snapshot of river health and management actions.

Main Results:

• Establishment of an Environmental Manager function within the Commission's office.
• Implementation of ICM Policy with defined targets and accountabilities.
• Development of initiatives to address identified riverine problems at various scales.

Conclusions:

• The Cap is a foundational step, but further actions are crucial for ecological sustainability.
• Recent decisions represent significant progress towards reversing riverine decline.
• Ongoing initiatives are strategically focused on restoring the MDB's riverine environments.