Assessment of current and potential risks to the quantity and quality of the Murray-Darling Basin's water resources

The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) is a statutory agency established through the Commonwealth Water Act 2007. The Act requires the Australian Government, in conjunction with the Basin states, to manage the Basin’s water resources in the national interest, through the development and implementation of a Basin Plan. The Water Act specifically requires the identification of risks to the condition, or continued availability, of the Basin water resources. The risks are complex, and there is a need to better understand the interactions, cumulative impacts, and uncertainty about the risk factors.

The MDBA’s NRM Division is therefore currently seeking to commission a range of studies to better understand the impacts of risks to the water resources of the Basin. These are broadly grouped as:

1. Studies on risks driven by climate change
2. Studies on risks relating to catchment processes
3. Studies on risks arising from direct water interception and use, and
4. Case studies and development of methods and tools to address the above.

The knowledge obtained through the projects and input from an expert panel will be used to develop a coherent framework to undertake management of risks to the Basin’s water resources for the long term. Risk assessments will inform the development of better management strategies by anticipating the impacts of these risks, the likelihood of their occurrence and their consequences.

Expressions of Interest are sought from service providers with expertise in the areas of investigation listed above. Detailed project briefs for the individual projects are currently being developed and service providers who are shortlisted will be invited to submit proposals for all or some of these projects.