Improving trust and confidence in water management across the Basin

The Murray Darling Basin produces one third of Australia’s food supply, yet 77 per cent of people who live in the Basin don’t even know they live here, according to research recently commissioned by the independent Inspector-General of Water Compliance.

In addition, 78 per cent of people believe any decisions made in the Murray-Darling Basin are driven by political motives. 

Perhaps its why up to 80 per cent of people strong support an independent federal body overseeing rules and regulations across the Basin.

And that is exactly what the independent Inspector-General aims to do, by holding governments and regulators to account. 

The Honourable Troy Grant is the first Inspector-General of Water Compliance, and aims to tackle these issues, and many more identified in the research, to help improve trust and confidence in the water management across the Murray-Darling Basin.

“I have travelled the length and breadth of the Basin, speaking to communities about the issues that concern them,” Mr Grant said.

“I’ve acted on many of those concerns, commissioning audits and reviews into things like river management, compliance and enforcement, and overland flow, while also holding the government to account.

“I also commissioned a review to see if any member of the public could clearly see where the $13 billion in Basin Plan funding has been spent, and outcomes achieved from that funding.

“I found that it is an incredibly difficult task for an average taxpayer to find information that clearly explains what money has been spent, where it has gone, what has been achieved, and how much remains.”

The Inspector-General is supported by a well-connected group of field officers, who are located across the Basin in Goondiwindi, Dubbo, Albury, Mildura and Loxton.

“Its important field officers are local people who understand local issues. They’re available at the Henty Machinery Field Days at site 708 to chat to. 

“If you are unable to make it to Henty, you can also contact your local field officer by calling 13 44 92.”

To view the IGWC’s reports and audits visit igwc.gov.au