VISION To restore confidence for all stakeholders in the integrity - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

VISION

To restore confidence for all stakeholders in the integrity of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan

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The Interim Inspector-General (IIG) will be a non-statutory role for a period of 12 months, or until a statutory appointment is made.

ROLE/FUNCTION

The IIG will:

• Provide independent assurance over:

(1) Basin Plan implementation (2) progress of water recovery (3) delivery of supply and constraint infrastructure projects; and

• the Murray–Darling Basin Authority and Basin State

and Territory governments compliance responsibilities under the Water Act 2007, the Basin Plan and water resource plans;

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The IIG will:

• ensure Australian Government agencies perform their

functions and implement the Basin Plan;

• establish processes for the receipt and assessment of

allegations of non-compliance with the Water Act 2007, the Basin Plan and water resource plans;

• refer instances of alleged non-compliance to appropriate

authorities; and

• engage with the community about Basin Plan

implementation and compliance matters.

• Minister for Water Resources, Drought, Rural Finance,

Natural Disaster and Emergency Management on a needs basis;

• Murray–Darling Basin Ministerial Council every 6 months.

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The IIG will report directly to the:

The Basin Plan manages the Basin as a whole connected system and seeks to balance the needs of towns, agriculture, industries and the Basin’s rivers, wetlands and floodplains.

THE PLAN

The IIG and staff will engage with Basin communities about Plan implementation and compliance. IIG will establish an office in Mildura to ensure staff gain a real understanding of how the Plan impacts the region. IIG will also have a presence in the north, with an office to be established in a northern Basin community.

WAY FORWARD

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The IIGs primary role is to provide independent assurance

• ver Basin Plan implementation and ensure Australian

government and Basin state governments meet compliance responsibilities under the Water Act. The office of the IIG will refer any matters of alleged wrong doing to the appropriate authorities, noting Basin states and territory governments have front line responsibility for implementing and enforcing compliance in their areas.

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Whist we cannot drought–proof the Basin, we are committed to ensuring that all elements of the Plan are implemented effectively so that farmers and communities are better placed to deal with droughts when they happen.

QUESTIONS

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