Water updates
Some notes on water for those members interested.
MDBA matters:
GBSAN participates in MDBA Northern Basin Regional Community Forum. It meets quarterly or thereabouts. Our involvement is largely as an observer as is the role of most non MDBA attendees. The forum is intended as an exchange of information on matters of relevance to the Basin community. The most recent forum was held late in August this year.
The following are some updates that might be of interest
The 5 year Basin review has commenced. This is a slow and cumbersome task due for completion mid-2026.
An early insights paper has been released this identifies the range of complex matters to be considered.
The paper can be accessed here for those interested or (https://www.mdba.gov.au/publications-and-data/publications/early-insights-paper-publication-basin-plan-review)
A 1hr webinar outlining the early insights paper is being conducted on the Friday 13 September Here
The relevance of MDBA review is that the Granite Belt catchment and rivers fall within the MDBA management. We are in the border rivers. Our catchment is minor to the point of insignificance in the context of the greater Basin. However, decisions arising from the basin review have the potential to impact on policy settings for our district.
Sustainable Rivers Audit [SRA] # 3
As part of the MDBA review a 3rd SRA is being conducted and due for release mid 2025 The last one was 2012 after which the authority ceased conducting these audits. In August 2023 the federal government instructed them to be reinstated. This is a positive decision for the basin river system ensuring access to contemporary data on the state and health of the river system.
Some notes re Climate Change and cycles
The following graph shows 90 year records of runoff in northern basin. Whilst we all know the cyclic nature of our weather patterns the graph below illustrates it very visibly.
Source: Basin Plan Review Early insights paper June 2024