River Murray Water Allocation Plan adopted
An updated River Murray Water Allocation Plan has been formally adopted, bringing the plan in line with the recently revised River Murray long Term Environmental Watering Plans.
Posted 19 October 2021.
The Minister for Environment and Water has adopted an updated Water Allocation Plan for the River Murray Prescribed Watercourse (the plan).
Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board Presiding Member Dianne Davidson AM said the plan’s adoption ensures there are rules in place to manage the River Murray in South Australia in a sustainable way for all users.
The primary change to the plan is how Environmental Land Management Allocations (ELMA) entitlements (Class 8) are distributed in the Lower Murray Reclaimed Irrigation Area. No other entitlement holders are affected by the changes.
Other minor changes include;
- ensuring consistency with the recently revised River Murray Long Term Environmental Watering Plan
- provisions for water affecting activities related to drilling wells along the length of the River Murray to minimise impacts associated with connected water resources.
“The changes to the plan aim to provide equity to Class 8 entitlements holders across the Lower Murray Reclaimed Irrigation Area,” she said.
“ELMA entitlements are critical for effectively managing soils unique to the Lower Murray Reclaimed Irrigation Area which are affected by salinity, acid sulfate soils and movement and cracking.
“The Lower Murray community has been heavily involved in shaping the revised ELMA policy, along with other key stakeholders. The Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board appreciates their significant contribution to the amended plan,” Ms Davidson said.
The River Murray is a critical water resource for South Australia, providing drinking water and irrigation water, and supporting culture, tourism, ecosystems and our way of life.
A community consultation period helped the landscape board understand community thoughts about the plan, with community comments shaping the final amendments.
To find out more about how the changes to the plan affect you, visit the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board website:
www.landscape.sa.gov.au/mr/water/water-allocation-plans/river-murray-wap
This project is supported by the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board through funding from the landscape levies, and the Department for Environment and Water.
