Residents in Broken Hill, New South Wales, are being asked to help shape the rules that govern the region’s water supply as part of a major Murray–Darling Basin Plan review. The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) has opened a 12-week public consultation on the 2012 Basin Plan and is seeking local feedback to inform updates to the plan that manages Australia’s largest river system. This input is important because it will influence how drinking water is protected and shared across the Far West over the next decade.
The review comes at a time when water quality remains a top priority for the town. A 270‑kilometre Wentworth‑to‑Broken Hill pipeline from the River Murray — completed in 2019 at a cost of about $500 million — was built to improve Broken Hill’s water security, but many residents have still experienced discoloured or “brown” water during floods or low‑flow periods. The NSW Natural Resources Commission (NRC) is also examining state‑level water sharing plan provisions to help ensure the system can cope with extreme weather and a changing climate.
Current research (CSIRO modelling cited in review materials) suggests river inflows could decline by roughly 20–30% in coming years. By speaking up during the consultation, locals can help ensure future management accounts for these changes while also protecting the health of the Menindee Lakes and the Baaka (Darling) River. Government agencies are asking for input from residents, irrigators, farmers and Traditional Owners so the new rules reflect the needs of people living in the region.
The NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) and other state and federal agencies are working with the MDBA to gather local knowledge. Community members can make submissions via the MDBA discussion paper online, take part in webinars, or attend planned regional engagement events (including forums expected in places such as Broken Hill and Menindee) during the consultation period.
The public consultation period is open until 1 May 2026. After submissions close, the MDBA will assess feedback and publish a Review Report in late 2026 to inform how water is managed, protected and shared for communities such as Broken Hill.
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