The Albanese Government's voluntary water purchasing open tender has received around 250 tender responses across the Basin, totalling more than double the amount of water as the tender called for.
The Albanese Labor Government has now made offers in all 6 catchment areas across New South Wales and Southern Queensland. As announced earlier this year, the Government aims to recover 44.3 gigalitres to complete the Bridging the Gap part of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
The strength of this response signals to governments and communities that voluntary water purchase is a necessary and feasible tool to help meet the targets of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
With the next drought around the corner, the Government is focused on delivering the Plan to ensure a healthy river system for the communities, industries, and environment that rely on it.
The Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison Governments stopped open water market tenders when they came to government, instead running closed tenders. This resulted in more money paid for less water. In contrast, the Albanese Government is pursuing a process that is transparent, represents best value for money and delivers the best environmental outcomes.
Offers have been accepted in the Condamine-Balonne in Qld, and in the Barwon Darling, NSW Border Rivers, Namoi, Lachlan and NSW Murray catchments in NSW. Each offer has been carefully reviewed to ensure they stack up environmentally and deliver value for money. They are now in the process of exchanging contracts.
To ensure transparency, the outcomes of the tender, once completed, will be published by the Government on AusTender.
In addition to this tender, arrangements are being finalised with the ACT Government to contribute its 4.9 GL/y commitment to bridge the remaining gap of surface water in the ACT.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek:
"From day one we've said we're committed to delivering the Murray-Darling Basin Plan in full - and that's exactly what we're doing.
"What this shows is that there are many willing sellers who are prepared to work with the Government to make sure we have enough water to deliver a healthy and sustainable river system.
"As we look to how we make sure we deliver the 450GL of water for the environment, which we know will have to include some voluntary purchases, this is an encouraging sign."
