URGENT UPDATE: A new report from the Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) has confirmed a significant shortfall in water supply ahead of the critical 31 December 2026 deadline for the Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism (SDLAM). The report highlights that many key projects aimed at addressing this water shortage will not be completed on time, raising serious concerns for the future of water management in the region.
According to MDBA Chief Executive Andrew McConville, while some smaller projects have been successfully delivered, substantial initiatives are lagging behind. “We can clearly see that many of the significant projects will not be delivered, and we can expect a shortfall compared to the 605 gigalitres a year determined in 2017,” McConville stated. The revised supply estimate now ranges between 250 gigalitres and 350 gigalitres, indicating a staggering shortfall of 255 gigalitres to 355 gigalitres.
The MDBA’s findings come at a crucial time, as the authority prepares for a reconciliation process in 2026 to finalize the supply contributions from the completed projects. “The final SDLAM supply contribution will be determined by the package of projects delivered by state governments,” McConville emphasized. This underscores the importance of ongoing collaboration among New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia to achieve the intended outcomes for sustainable water management.
Among the few successful initiatives, McConville noted positive environmental outcomes at locations like the Chowilla floodplain in South Australia, Hattah Lakes in Victoria, and Gayini Nimmie-Caira in New South Wales. However, the overall picture remains bleak as the MDBA prepares to release a draft determination for the proposed Sustainable Diversion Limit adjustment in late 2026.
The urgency of this situation cannot be overstated. With water scarcity becoming an increasingly pressing issue, the impacts of these shortfalls will be felt by communities and ecosystems across the basin. The MDBA’s commitment to transparency includes providing the public with opportunities to submit feedback on the draft determination, which will ultimately be submitted to the Australian Government Minister for Water by the end of 2026.
The MDBA’s assurance report serves as a critical reminder of the challenges ahead in managing Australia’s vital water resources. Stakeholders and residents in the region are urged to stay informed and engaged as the situation develops.
For ongoing updates and more information on the reconciliation process, visit the MDBA’s official page on the Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism (SDLAM).
