{ "entity_id": "B-002140", "folder": "Advisory-Committee-on-Social-Economic-and-Environmental-Sciences", "name": "Advisory Committee on Social, Economic and Environmental Sciences", "type": "Statutory Body", "jurisdiction": "Commonwealth", "portfolio": "Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water", "website": "http://www.mdba.gov.au/about-us/governance/advisory-committee-social-economic-environmental-sciences", "data_status": "partial", "completeness": { "has_strategy_brief": true, "has_strategy_structured": true, "has_vision": false, "has_kpi_targets": true, "has_kpi_results": false, "has_strategy_overview": true, "has_legislation_text": true, "has_legislation_structured": false, "has_global_initiatives_text": false, "has_ideas": true, "has_artifacts": true, "n_ideas": 12, "n_legislation": 0, "n_artifacts": 4, "n_kpi_targets": 3, "n_kpi_results": 0, "n_outcomes": 1, "verified_own_data": true }, "strategy_profile": { "status": "needs_review", "confidence": "medium", "summary": "Relaxing constraints to water flow will help to realise the full environmental benefits from water recovered for the environment so far; this could provide generational benefits for local communities and First Nations peoples as well as vegetation, fish and waterbirds.", "official_site_url": "http://www.mdba.gov.au/about-us/governance/advisory-committee-social-economic-environmental-sciences", "source_documents": [ { "type": "strategie", "title": "Constraints Relaxation Implementation Roadmap", "url": "http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf", "period": null, "confidence": "medium" }, { "type": "corporate_plan", "title": "Corporate Plan", "url": "https://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/mdba-corporate-plan-2025-2026.pdf", "period": "2025", "confidence": "high" } ], "purpose": null, "vision": null, "strategic_priorities": [], "values": [], "outcomes": [ { "name": "Outcome 1: Basin Plan environmental outcomes", "description": "Relaxing constraints to water flow will help to realise the full environmental benefits from water recovered for the environment so far; this could provide generational benefits for local communities and First Nations peoples as well as vegetation, fish and waterbirds.", "activities": [ "Achieving Basin Plan environmental outcomes without solely relying on further water recovery", "Realising the full benefits of public investment in water recovered for the environment", "Targeting local and system-wide outcomes on target rivers", "Supporting healthy rivers and floodplains for the social and economic future of Basin communities", "Working with communities to improve the timing, frequency, duration, and extent of flows that support the environment", "Investing in on-ground works and measures to mitigate impacts from higher environmental flows and that support benefits for affected landholders", "Involving First Nations peoples to maximise Cultural outcomes and realise co-benefits", "Recognising community and First Nations peoples’ knowledge can shape the future management of local river systems, Cultural landscapes, and environments", "Creating a flow corridor that allows higher environmental flows to be gradually and carefully trialled in partnership with communities and First Nations groups to ensure we get it right" ], "source_url": "https://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/mdba-corporate-plan-2025-2026.pdf", "source_page": 12, "source_deep_url": "https://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/mdba-corporate-plan-2025-2026.pdf#page=12" } ], "performance_measures": [ { "code": "CCE01", "measure": "Relaxed constraints allow the restoration of some of the missing natural events under medium and dry future climate scenarios and enhanced environmental outcomes under a wet future climate.", "target": "Achieve environmental benefits by increasing environmental water managers’ capacity to use opportunities that are expected to occur less frequently than historically observed to water overbank and adapt to climate change by reducing the time gap between lower floodplain wetting events.", "latest_result": "", "status": "", "target_source_url": "https://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/mdba-corporate-plan-2025-2026.pdf", "target_source_page": 16, "result_source_url": "", "result_source_page": null }, { "code": "CCE02", "measure": "In the River Murray from Hume Dam to Yarrawonga and the Edward-Wakool system, improved environmental outcomes are achievable under wet, medium and dry future climates at flow options ranging from 25,000 to 45,000 ML/day.", "target": "Achieve improved environmental outcomes under all climate conditions most noticeably up to 25,000 ML/day. However, under a future dry climate, flows options beyond 25,000 ML/day to sustain floodplain outcomes by making the ecosystem more resilient.", "latest_result": "", "status": "", "target_source_url": "https://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/mdba-corporate-plan-2025-2026.pdf", "target_source_page": 16, "result_source_url": "", "result_source_page": null }, { "code": "CCE03", "measure": "Further enhancements of environmental outcomes are likely possible with improved coordination of flows between Murray and Goulburn rivers, and if the constraint level in the Lower Darling River is relaxed.", "target": "Achieve further enhancements of environmental outcomes.", "latest_result": "", "status": "", "target_source_url": "https://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/mdba-corporate-plan-2025-2026.pdf", "target_source_page": 16, "result_source_url": "", "result_source_page": null } ], "document_alignment_terms": { "must_support": [], "watch_terms": [ "Relaxed constraints allow the restoration of some of the missing natural events under medium and dry future climate scenarios and enhanced environmental outcomes under a wet future climate.", "In the River Murray from Hume Dam to Yarrawonga and the Edward-Wakool system, improved environmental outcomes are achievable under wet, medium and dry future climates at flow options ranging from 25,000 to 45,000 ML/day.", "Further enhancements of environmental outcomes are likely possible with improved coordination of flows between Murray and Goulburn rivers, and if the constraint level in the Lower Darling River is relaxed." ], "avoid_claiming_without_evidence": [] }, "review_note": "Structured strategy exists but is incomplete." }, "strategy_brief_md": "# Advisory Committee on Social, Economic and Environmental Sciences — Strategy Brief\n\n**Reporting period**: 2024-25\n**Corporate plan in force**: 2025-26\n**Corporate Plan**: [2025-26](http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)\n\n## Outcomes\n\n### Outcome 1: Basin Plan environmental outcomes\nRelaxing constraints to water flow will help to realise the full environmental benefits from water recovered for the environment so far; this could provide generational benefits for local communities and First Nations peoples as well as vegetation, fish and waterbirds. [[CP p.12](https://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/mdba-corporate-plan-2025-2026.pdf#page=12)(http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf#page=12)]\n\n**Key activities:**\n- Achieving Basin Plan environmental outcomes without solely relying on further water recovery\n- Realising the full benefits of public investment in water recovered for the environment\n- Targeting local and system-wide outcomes on target rivers\n- Supporting healthy rivers and floodplains for the social and economic future of Basin communities\n- Working with communities to improve the timing, frequency, duration, and extent of flows that support the environment\n- Investing in on-ground works and measures to mitigate impacts from higher environmental flows and that support benefits for affected landholders\n- Involving First Nations peoples to maximise Cultural outcomes and realise co-benefits\n- Recognising community and First Nations peoples’ knowledge can shape the future management of local river systems, Cultural landscapes, and environments\n- Creating a flow corridor that allows higher environmental flows to be gradually and carefully trialled in partnership with communities and First Nations groups to ensure we get it right\n\n## What they will measure themselves on this year (targets from 2025-26 corporate plan)\n\n| Code | Measure | Target | Source |\n|---|---|---|---|\n| CCE01 | Relaxed constraints allow the restoration of some of the missing natural events under medium and dry future climate scenarios and enhanced environmental outcomes under a wet future climate. | Achieve environmental benefits by increasing environmental water managers’ capacity to use opportunities that are expected to occur less frequently than historically observed to water overbank and adapt to climate change by reducing the time gap between lower floodplain wetting events. | [CP p.16](https://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/mdba-corporate-plan-2025-2026.pdf#page=16)(http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf#page=16) |\n| CCE02 | In the River Murray from Hume Dam to Yarrawonga and the Edward-Wakool system, improved environmental outcomes are achievable under wet, medium and dry future climates at flow options ranging from 25,000 to 45,000 ML/day. | Achieve improved environmental outcomes under all climate conditions most noticeably up to 25,000 ML/day. However, under a future dry climate, flows options beyond 25,000 ML/day to sustain floodplain outcomes by making the ecosystem more resilient. | [CP p.16](https://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/mdba-corporate-plan-2025-2026.pdf#page=16)(http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf#page=16) |\n| CCE03 | Further enhancements of environmental outcomes are likely possible with improved coordination of flows between Murray and Goulburn rivers, and if the constraint level in the Lower Darling River is relaxed. | Achieve further enhancements of environmental outcomes. | [CP p.16](https://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/mdba-corporate-plan-2025-2026.pdf#page=16)(http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf#page=16) |", "strategy_overview_evidence_md": null, "internal_strategy_evidence_md": "# Advisory Committee on Social, Economic and Environmental Sciences - Strategy, Performance, and Operating Profile\n\n**Generated at**: 2026-05-09T22:10:22.924029+00:00\n**Entity ID**: B-002140\n**Entity type**: Statutory Body\n**Jurisdiction**: Commonwealth\n**Portfolio**: Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water\n**Website**: http://www.mdba.gov.au/about-us/governance/advisory-committee-social-economic-environmental-sciences\n\n> Draft generated from scraped source material. Treat this as an evidence pack for editorial review, not a final judgement.\n\n## Source Coverage\n\n| Source type | Count |\n|---|---:|\n| other-pdfs | 2 |\n| pages | 29 |\n| strategies | 1 |\n\n## Executive Readout\n\n### Purpose\n\n- If Basin governments were to agree, 10 years is\nconsidered appropriate and would align with the 10-yearly review of the Basin Plan (2036),\nsupporting the final reconciliation of the program against the Basin Plan outcomes.\n• Finding 3: Successfully relaxing constraints across the Basin requires a 10-year program and\nmust include fit for purpose governance arrangements.\n• Finding 4: It is important to provide an avenue for landholders participating in the program to\nexpress concerns, access trusted information and seek support.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- [Page 46]\nAppendix B: The Basin Plan\nrequirement\n7.08A Constraints relaxation implementation roadmap\n(1) The object of this section is to assist the Commonwealth and Basin States to identify measures\nto relax constraints, and develop and implement them in a way that:\n(a) maximises the benefits of the constraint measures to deliver environmental outcomes,\nincluding but not limited to enhanced environmental outcomes and outcomes\nidentified by the Constraints Management Strategy; and\n(b) provides, as far as practicable, a common approach across river systems and jurisdictions\nincluding, but not limited to, in relation to:\n(i) reporting, transparency and public accountability; and\n(ii) program implementation and governance including regulatory approvals; and\n(iii) supporting the acceleration of constraint measures by 31 December 2026; and\n(iv) managing impacts on third parties.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- Without them, it may not be possible sustain ecosystem health\nover the longer-term.\n• In the River Murray from Hume Dam to Yarrawonga and the Edward-Wakool system, improved\nenvironmental outcomes are achievable under wet, medium and dry future climates at flow\noptions ranging from 25,000 to 45,000 ML/day.\n• In the mid and lower Murray along the main river, improved environmental outcomes are\nachieved under all climate conditions most noticeably up to 25,000 ML/day.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- Updates are also needed to reflect the First Nations purpose of the Basin Plan and proposed new objectives and outcomes.\n Source: `pages/strategies-index.html (http://www.mdba.gov.au/water-management/basin-plan-review/discussion-paper)`\n\n### Role and Functions\n\n- To secure the delivery of constraints, a longer-term program is needed to ensure:\n• Renewed commitment across governments to give effect to agreed outcomes, confirmation of\nroles and responsibilities and agreed principles for collaboration.\n• Fit for purpose, integrated program delivery over a realistic timeframe.\n• Governance that supports the resolution of issues at inter-jurisdictional as well as project levels\nwith a stewardship role for the MDBA.\n• Improved assurance and clear milestones linked to a high-level workplan for accountability and\ntransparency.\n• An ‘offramp’ or viable pathway to continue those projects already underway under the SDLAM\nand Northern Basin Toolkit programs, noting that funding for these programs ends in 2026.\n• Evaluation, focusing on firstly installing infrastructure and processes that mitigate third party\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- What Water Act 2007 (Cth) function applies to this request?\n- Select -\n172 (1) (a) (i)\n172 (1) (a) (iii)\n172 (1) (b) (i)\n172 (1) (b) (ii)\n172 (1) (b) (iii)\n172 (1) (b) (iv)\n172 (1) (b) (v)\n172 (1) (b) (vi)\n172 (1) (c)\n172 (1) (d) (i)\n172 (1) (d) (ii)\n172 (1) (d) (iii)\n172 (1) (d) (iv)\n172 (1) (d) (v)\n172 (1) (e)\n172 (1) (ea)\n172 (1) (f)\n172 (1) (g) (i)\n172 (1) (g) (ii)\n172 (1) (g) (iii)\n172 (1) (h)\n172 (1) (i)\n172 (1) (ia)\n172 (1) (j)\n172 (1) (k)\n172 (1) (l)\n172 (1) (m)\n172 (1) (n)\nOther\nOther (please specify section(s))\nDoes the requested information include personal information and, if so, why is this personal information necessary?\n Source: `pages/strategies-index__14.html (http://www.mdba.gov.au/publications-and-data/maps-and-spatial-data/geospatial-data-services-request-form)`\n- If Basin governments were to agree, 10 years is\nconsidered appropriate and would align with the 10-yearly review of the Basin Plan (2036),\nsupporting the final reconciliation of the program against the Basin Plan outcomes.\n• Finding 3: Successfully relaxing constraints across the Basin requires a 10-year program and\nmust include fit for purpose governance arrangements.\n• Finding 4: It is important to provide an avenue for landholders participating in the program to\nexpress concerns, access trusted information and seek support.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- [Page 15]\nWhat the science says\nConstraints relaxation would result in:\n• Significantly greater extents of wetland inundation – for the Murray River (Hume Dam to\nWentworth), there could be up to 97% increase in the area of wetlands inundated4 and nearly\ntwo-thirds of floodplain wetland habitats could be inundated in the Mid-Murrumbidgee5.\n• Up to 294% increase in the area of native vegetation that can be reached by environmental flows\nin the Murray (Hume Dam to Wentworth)6.\n• A 114% increase in river red gum forests and woodlands remaining healthy during drier years in\nthe Murrumbidgee7.\n• An increase in long-term average golden perch populations by up to 29%, and minimum\npopulations by up to 45% during dry periods in the Murray River (Hume Dam to Wentworth)8.\n• The inundation of 2 and half times more water dependent vegetation communities in the\nGoulburn9.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- Without them, it may not be possible sustain ecosystem health\nover the longer-term.\n• In the River Murray from Hume Dam to Yarrawonga and the Edward-Wakool system, improved\nenvironmental outcomes are achievable under wet, medium and dry future climates at flow\noptions ranging from 25,000 to 45,000 ML/day.\n• In the mid and lower Murray along the main river, improved environmental outcomes are\nachieved under all climate conditions most noticeably up to 25,000 ML/day.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- 16 Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) (due for publication 2025), Protection & restoration of water\ndependent ecosystems & functions, and achievement of environmental outcomes: Matters 2 & 7 Schedule 12\nReports.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n\n### Strategic Priorities\n\n- If Basin governments were to agree, 10 years is\nconsidered appropriate and would align with the 10-yearly review of the Basin Plan (2036),\nsupporting the final reconciliation of the program against the Basin Plan outcomes.\n• Finding 3: Successfully relaxing constraints across the Basin requires a 10-year program and\nmust include fit for purpose governance arrangements.\n• Finding 4: It is important to provide an avenue for landholders participating in the program to\nexpress concerns, access trusted information and seek support.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- [Page 15]\nWhat the science says\nConstraints relaxation would result in:\n• Significantly greater extents of wetland inundation – for the Murray River (Hume Dam to\nWentworth), there could be up to 97% increase in the area of wetlands inundated4 and nearly\ntwo-thirds of floodplain wetland habitats could be inundated in the Mid-Murrumbidgee5.\n• Up to 294% increase in the area of native vegetation that can be reached by environmental flows\nin the Murray (Hume Dam to Wentworth)6.\n• A 114% increase in river red gum forests and woodlands remaining healthy during drier years in\nthe Murrumbidgee7.\n• An increase in long-term average golden perch populations by up to 29%, and minimum\npopulations by up to 45% during dry periods in the Murray River (Hume Dam to Wentworth)8.\n• The inundation of 2 and half times more water dependent vegetation communities in the\nGoulburn9.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- Without them, it may not be possible sustain ecosystem health\nover the longer-term.\n• In the River Murray from Hume Dam to Yarrawonga and the Edward-Wakool system, improved\nenvironmental outcomes are achievable under wet, medium and dry future climates at flow\noptions ranging from 25,000 to 45,000 ML/day.\n• In the mid and lower Murray along the main river, improved environmental outcomes are\nachieved under all climate conditions most noticeably up to 25,000 ML/day.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- The MDBA suggests that consultation with the community include, but not limited to, a focus on the\nfollowing:\n• Hume to Yarrawonga: exploring what benefits can be achieved withing existing flow easements\n(25,000 ML/day) and up to 30,000 ML/day.\n• Yarrawonga to Wakool: exploring what benefits can be achieved by flows between 30,000 to\n35,000 ML/day with infrastructure built to higher rates to incorporate adequate freeboard.\n• Goulburn below Eildon: exploring what benefits can be achieved by flows up to 12,000 ML/day\nwith infrastructure built to higher rates (such as ~14,000 ML/day) to incorporate adequate\nfreeboard.\n• Goulburn River below Goulburn Weir: exploring what benefits can be achieved by flows up to\n21,000 ML/day with infrastructure built to 25,000 ML/d to incorporate adequate freeboard.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- [Page 46]\nAppendix B: The Basin Plan\nrequirement\n7.08A Constraints relaxation implementation roadmap\n(1) The object of this section is to assist the Commonwealth and Basin States to identify measures\nto relax constraints, and develop and implement them in a way that:\n(a) maximises the benefits of the constraint measures to deliver environmental outcomes,\nincluding but not limited to enhanced environmental outcomes and outcomes\nidentified by the Constraints Management Strategy; and\n(b) provides, as far as practicable, a common approach across river systems and jurisdictions\nincluding, but not limited to, in relation to:\n(i) reporting, transparency and public accountability; and\n(ii) program implementation and governance including regulatory approvals; and\n(iii) supporting the acceleration of constraint measures by 31 December 2026; and\n(iv) managing impacts on third parties.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- Lock 8 will continue to target between 20 – 30 cm below\nFSL, while Lock 7 will target 8 – 10 cm below FSL.\n Source: `other-pdfs/Weekly-Report-29-April-2026.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/Weekly-Report-29-April-2026.pdf)`\n- NSW: WaterInsights - WaterNSW\nVIC: Water Measurement Information System\nSnowy Mountains Scheme Snowy diversions for week ending 28 Apr 2026\nStorage Active Storage (GL) Weekly Change (GL) Diversion (GL) This Week From 1 May 2025\nLake Eucumbene - Total 1529 -1 Snowy-Murray 13 577\nSnowy-Murray Component 619 -11 Tooma-Tumut 2 187\nTarget Storage 1340 Net Diversion 11 390\nMurray 1 Release 14 782\nEntitlement this month 135.0*\nFlow to South Australia (GL)\nFlow this week 40.6 (5,800 ML/day)\n* Flow to SA will be greater than normal entitlement for\nFlow so far this month 236.7\nthis month due to environmental flows.\n Source: `other-pdfs/Weekly-Report-29-April-2026.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/Weekly-Report-29-April-2026.pdf)`\n- Refer to Finding 6 for priority actions to be completed before December 2026 for the Murray (Hume\nto South Australian border) and Goulburn rivers.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- [pages 1,2,3,4]\n[Page 1]\nConstraints Relaxation\nImplementation Roadmap\nA guide for governments to progress\nconstraints relaxation projects\nDecember 2024\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- [Page 2]\nPublished by the Murray–Darling Basin Authority\nMDBA publication no: 39/24\nGPO Box 1801, Canberra ACT 2601 1800 230 067\nISBN (online): 978-1-922699-86-2\nengagement@mdba.gov.au mdba.gov.au\n© Murray–Darling Basin Authority 2024\nOwnership of intellectual property rights\nWith the exception of the Commonwealth Coat of Arms, the MDBA logo, trademarks and any exempt\nphotographs and graphics (these are identified), this publication is provided under a Creative Commons\nAttribution 4.0 licence. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)\nThe Australian Government acting through the Murray–Darling Basin Authority has exercised due care and skill in preparing and\ncompiling the information and data in this publication.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n\n## KPIs, Targets, and Where They Are At\n\n- [Page 15]\nWhat the science says\nConstraints relaxation would result in:\n• Significantly greater extents of wetland inundation – for the Murray River (Hume Dam to\nWentworth), there could be up to 97% increase in the area of wetlands inundated4 and nearly\ntwo-thirds of floodplain wetland habitats could be inundated in the Mid-Murrumbidgee5.\n• Up to 294% increase in the area of native vegetation that can be reached by environmental flows\nin the Murray (Hume Dam to Wentworth)6.\n• A 114% increase in river red gum forests and woodlands remaining healthy during drier years in\nthe Murrumbidgee7.\n• An increase in long-term average golden perch populations by up to 29%, and minimum\npopulations by up to 45% during dry periods in the Murray River (Hume Dam to Wentworth)8.\n• The inundation of 2 and half times more water dependent vegetation communities in the\nGoulburn9.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- Without them, it may not be possible sustain ecosystem health\nover the longer-term.\n• In the River Murray from Hume Dam to Yarrawonga and the Edward-Wakool system, improved\nenvironmental outcomes are achievable under wet, medium and dry future climates at flow\noptions ranging from 25,000 to 45,000 ML/day.\n• In the mid and lower Murray along the main river, improved environmental outcomes are\nachieved under all climate conditions most noticeably up to 25,000 ML/day.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- The MDBA suggests that consultation with the community include, but not limited to, a focus on the\nfollowing:\n• Hume to Yarrawonga: exploring what benefits can be achieved withing existing flow easements\n(25,000 ML/day) and up to 30,000 ML/day.\n• Yarrawonga to Wakool: exploring what benefits can be achieved by flows between 30,000 to\n35,000 ML/day with infrastructure built to higher rates to incorporate adequate freeboard.\n• Goulburn below Eildon: exploring what benefits can be achieved by flows up to 12,000 ML/day\nwith infrastructure built to higher rates (such as ~14,000 ML/day) to incorporate adequate\nfreeboard.\n• Goulburn River below Goulburn Weir: exploring what benefits can be achieved by flows up to\n21,000 ML/day with infrastructure built to 25,000 ML/d to incorporate adequate freeboard.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- Lock 8 will continue to target between 20 – 30 cm below\nFSL, while Lock 7 will target 8 – 10 cm below FSL.\n Source: `other-pdfs/Weekly-Report-29-April-2026.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/Weekly-Report-29-April-2026.pdf)`\n- NSW: WaterInsights - WaterNSW\nVIC: Water Measurement Information System\nSnowy Mountains Scheme Snowy diversions for week ending 28 Apr 2026\nStorage Active Storage (GL) Weekly Change (GL) Diversion (GL) This Week From 1 May 2025\nLake Eucumbene - Total 1529 -1 Snowy-Murray 13 577\nSnowy-Murray Component 619 -11 Tooma-Tumut 2 187\nTarget Storage 1340 Net Diversion 11 390\nMurray 1 Release 14 782\nEntitlement this month 135.0*\nFlow to South Australia (GL)\nFlow this week 40.6 (5,800 ML/day)\n* Flow to SA will be greater than normal entitlement for\nFlow so far this month 236.7\nthis month due to environmental flows.\n Source: `other-pdfs/Weekly-Report-29-April-2026.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/Weekly-Report-29-April-2026.pdf)`\n- If Basin governments were to agree, 10 years is\nconsidered appropriate and would align with the 10-yearly review of the Basin Plan (2036),\nsupporting the final reconciliation of the program against the Basin Plan outcomes.\n• Finding 3: Successfully relaxing constraints across the Basin requires a 10-year program and\nmust include fit for purpose governance arrangements.\n• Finding 4: It is important to provide an avenue for landholders participating in the program to\nexpress concerns, access trusted information and seek support.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- Confidence to deliver and manage higher flows – To deliver water for the environment under\nrelaxed constraints, work is needed to ensure river operators have the authority, capacity and\nconfidence to target, coordinate, evaluate and reconfigure flows as needed.\n• Finding 10: The Commonwealth and Basin state governments should work together to provide\nthe appropriate authorising environment to allow the operation of relaxed constraints.\n• Finding 11: Improvements in river management tools, systems, processes and communications\nare critical to deliver confidence to operate under relaxed constraints.\n• Finding 12: Basin state governments should invest in programs that focus on monitoring,\nevaluating, reporting and learning from the delivery of water to support the objectives of\nconstraints relaxation implementation.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- This is\nleading us to explore flow rates that are considered more reasonable and practical to implement\nwithin the next 10 years, no longer pursuing the 80,000 ML/day as an operational target for the\nMurray at the South Australian border30.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- 30 The Government of South Australia has advised that it does not support shifting to a target flow rate lower\nthan 80,000 ML/day at the South Australian border without evidence that there is no compromise to\nenvironmental outcomes.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- Recognising the benefits of constraints relaxation to Basin\nPlan outcomes\nFollowing the MDBA’s SDLAM ‘reconciliation’ in 2026, the total supply adjustment volume will be lower\nthan the 605 gigalitres target identified in 2017.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- [Page 46]\nAppendix B: The Basin Plan\nrequirement\n7.08A Constraints relaxation implementation roadmap\n(1) The object of this section is to assist the Commonwealth and Basin States to identify measures\nto relax constraints, and develop and implement them in a way that:\n(a) maximises the benefits of the constraint measures to deliver environmental outcomes,\nincluding but not limited to enhanced environmental outcomes and outcomes\nidentified by the Constraints Management Strategy; and\n(b) provides, as far as practicable, a common approach across river systems and jurisdictions\nincluding, but not limited to, in relation to:\n(i) reporting, transparency and public accountability; and\n(ii) program implementation and governance including regulatory approvals; and\n(iii) supporting the acceleration of constraint measures by 31 December 2026; and\n(iv) managing impacts on third parties.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- The release from Yarrawonga Weir increased to target 8,500 ML/day through this week to support end of season\nstorage volumes at Lake Victoria.\n Source: `other-pdfs/Weekly-Report-29-April-2026.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/Weekly-Report-29-April-2026.pdf)`\n- [pages 1,2,3,4]\n[Page 1]\nConstraints Relaxation\nImplementation Roadmap\nA guide for governments to progress\nconstraints relaxation projects\nDecember 2024\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- [Page 2]\nPublished by the Murray–Darling Basin Authority\nMDBA publication no: 39/24\nGPO Box 1801, Canberra ACT 2601 1800 230 067\nISBN (online): 978-1-922699-86-2\nengagement@mdba.gov.au mdba.gov.au\n© Murray–Darling Basin Authority 2024\nOwnership of intellectual property rights\nWith the exception of the Commonwealth Coat of Arms, the MDBA logo, trademarks and any exempt\nphotographs and graphics (these are identified), this publication is provided under a Creative Commons\nAttribution 4.0 licence. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)\nThe Australian Government acting through the Murray–Darling Basin Authority has exercised due care and skill in preparing and\ncompiling the information and data in this publication.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n\n## Key Metrics\n\n| Values found | Evidence | Source |\n|---|---|---|\n| $2.42 million, 2.42 million | A further $2.42 million to extend the implementation of the NFRS was provided in 2023-24. | `pages/strategies-index__07.html (http://www.mdba.gov.au/basin/plants-and-wildlife/fish/native-fish-recovery)` |\n| $3.1 million, 3.1 million | This program included:\n$3.1 million invested across 4 Recovery Reaches to implement on-ground actions. | `pages/strategies-index__07.html (http://www.mdba.gov.au/basin/plants-and-wildlife/fish/native-fish-recovery)` |\n| $274 million, 274 million | In August 2024 the Australian Government committed $274 million for NSW to progress several\nmilestones in both the Murrumbidgee and NSW Murray project areas. | `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)` |\n\n## Key Achievements\n\n- [pages 1,2,3,4]\n[Page 1]\nConstraints Relaxation\nImplementation Roadmap\nA guide for governments to progress\nconstraints relaxation projects\nDecember 2024\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- Finding 8: In relaxing constraints, Basin state governments should work\nwith community to explore the trialling of flows up to 18,000\nmegalitres per day at Weir 32 near Menindee with infrastructure built\nto higher rates (approximately 30,000 megalitres per day) as part of\nbuffer arrangements\nThis recommendation highlights that by delivering flood mitigation to 30,000 megalitres/day at\nMenindee would build the social licence for the relaxed constraints.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- The\nMurray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) 2025 assurance report\non the sustainable diversion limit adjustment mechanism (SDLAM) found that several measures are unlikely to be delivered as notified or unlikely to be completed by 31 December 2026.\n Source: `pages/strategies-index__08.html (http://www.mdba.gov.au/water-management/basin-plan/sustainable-diversion-limit-adjustment-mechanism/reconciliation)`\n- If Basin governments were to agree, 10 years is\nconsidered appropriate and would align with the 10-yearly review of the Basin Plan (2036),\nsupporting the final reconciliation of the program against the Basin Plan outcomes.\n• Finding 3: Successfully relaxing constraints across the Basin requires a 10-year program and\nmust include fit for purpose governance arrangements.\n• Finding 4: It is important to provide an avenue for landholders participating in the program to\nexpress concerns, access trusted information and seek support.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- [Page 15]\nWhat the science says\nConstraints relaxation would result in:\n• Significantly greater extents of wetland inundation – for the Murray River (Hume Dam to\nWentworth), there could be up to 97% increase in the area of wetlands inundated4 and nearly\ntwo-thirds of floodplain wetland habitats could be inundated in the Mid-Murrumbidgee5.\n• Up to 294% increase in the area of native vegetation that can be reached by environmental flows\nin the Murray (Hume Dam to Wentworth)6.\n• A 114% increase in river red gum forests and woodlands remaining healthy during drier years in\nthe Murrumbidgee7.\n• An increase in long-term average golden perch populations by up to 29%, and minimum\npopulations by up to 45% during dry periods in the Murray River (Hume Dam to Wentworth)8.\n• The inundation of 2 and half times more water dependent vegetation communities in the\nGoulburn9.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- Without them, it may not be possible sustain ecosystem health\nover the longer-term.\n• In the River Murray from Hume Dam to Yarrawonga and the Edward-Wakool system, improved\nenvironmental outcomes are achievable under wet, medium and dry future climates at flow\noptions ranging from 25,000 to 45,000 ML/day.\n• In the mid and lower Murray along the main river, improved environmental outcomes are\nachieved under all climate conditions most noticeably up to 25,000 ML/day.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- No overbank water requirements\nalong the River Murray have been achieved19.\n• Only 2 gauges upstream of the 8 Ramsar sites received the overbank watering needed for\nenvironmental outcomes over the past 40 years20.\n• Only 10% of the managed floodplain across the Basin has received Commonwealth\nenvironmental water from headwater storages, and only half the managed floodplain has\nreceived some environmental water when delivered with flood events21.\n• The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder’s ‘Flow-MER’ science program did not\nconsider frequency of bankfull and overbank events in its most recent evaluation report “since\nit is very rare for environmental flows to contribute to channel-filling events”22.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- 16 Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) (due for publication 2025), Protection & restoration of water\ndependent ecosystems & functions, and achievement of environmental outcomes: Matters 2 & 7 Schedule 12\nReports.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- The MDBA suggests that consultation with the community include, but not limited to, a focus on the\nfollowing:\n• Hume to Yarrawonga: exploring what benefits can be achieved withing existing flow easements\n(25,000 ML/day) and up to 30,000 ML/day.\n• Yarrawonga to Wakool: exploring what benefits can be achieved by flows between 30,000 to\n35,000 ML/day with infrastructure built to higher rates to incorporate adequate freeboard.\n• Goulburn below Eildon: exploring what benefits can be achieved by flows up to 12,000 ML/day\nwith infrastructure built to higher rates (such as ~14,000 ML/day) to incorporate adequate\nfreeboard.\n• Goulburn River below Goulburn Weir: exploring what benefits can be achieved by flows up to\n21,000 ML/day with infrastructure built to 25,000 ML/d to incorporate adequate freeboard.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- [Page 46]\nAppendix B: The Basin Plan\nrequirement\n7.08A Constraints relaxation implementation roadmap\n(1) The object of this section is to assist the Commonwealth and Basin States to identify measures\nto relax constraints, and develop and implement them in a way that:\n(a) maximises the benefits of the constraint measures to deliver environmental outcomes,\nincluding but not limited to enhanced environmental outcomes and outcomes\nidentified by the Constraints Management Strategy; and\n(b) provides, as far as practicable, a common approach across river systems and jurisdictions\nincluding, but not limited to, in relation to:\n(i) reporting, transparency and public accountability; and\n(ii) program implementation and governance including regulatory approvals; and\n(iii) supporting the acceleration of constraint measures by 31 December 2026; and\n(iv) managing impacts on third parties.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- Lock 8 will continue to target between 20 – 30 cm below\nFSL, while Lock 7 will target 8 – 10 cm below FSL.\n Source: `other-pdfs/Weekly-Report-29-April-2026.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/Weekly-Report-29-April-2026.pdf)`\n- NSW: WaterInsights - WaterNSW\nVIC: Water Measurement Information System\nSnowy Mountains Scheme Snowy diversions for week ending 28 Apr 2026\nStorage Active Storage (GL) Weekly Change (GL) Diversion (GL) This Week From 1 May 2025\nLake Eucumbene - Total 1529 -1 Snowy-Murray 13 577\nSnowy-Murray Component 619 -11 Tooma-Tumut 2 187\nTarget Storage 1340 Net Diversion 11 390\nMurray 1 Release 14 782\nEntitlement this month 135.0*\nFlow to South Australia (GL)\nFlow this week 40.6 (5,800 ML/day)\n* Flow to SA will be greater than normal entitlement for\nFlow so far this month 236.7\nthis month due to environmental flows.\n Source: `other-pdfs/Weekly-Report-29-April-2026.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/Weekly-Report-29-April-2026.pdf)`\n\n## Key Issues, Risks, and Recommendations\n\n- To secure the delivery of constraints, a longer-term program is needed to ensure:\n• Renewed commitment across governments to give effect to agreed outcomes, confirmation of\nroles and responsibilities and agreed principles for collaboration.\n• Fit for purpose, integrated program delivery over a realistic timeframe.\n• Governance that supports the resolution of issues at inter-jurisdictional as well as project levels\nwith a stewardship role for the MDBA.\n• Improved assurance and clear milestones linked to a high-level workplan for accountability and\ntransparency.\n• An ‘offramp’ or viable pathway to continue those projects already underway under the SDLAM\nand Northern Basin Toolkit programs, noting that funding for these programs ends in 2026.\n• Evaluation, focusing on firstly installing infrastructure and processes that mitigate third party\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- Finding 8: In relaxing constraints, Basin state governments should work\nwith community to explore the trialling of flows up to 18,000\nmegalitres per day at Weir 32 near Menindee with infrastructure built\nto higher rates (approximately 30,000 megalitres per day) as part of\nbuffer arrangements\nThis recommendation highlights that by delivering flood mitigation to 30,000 megalitres/day at\nMenindee would build the social licence for the relaxed constraints.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- If Basin governments were to agree, 10 years is\nconsidered appropriate and would align with the 10-yearly review of the Basin Plan (2036),\nsupporting the final reconciliation of the program against the Basin Plan outcomes.\n• Finding 3: Successfully relaxing constraints across the Basin requires a 10-year program and\nmust include fit for purpose governance arrangements.\n• Finding 4: It is important to provide an avenue for landholders participating in the program to\nexpress concerns, access trusted information and seek support.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- [Page 15]\nWhat the science says\nConstraints relaxation would result in:\n• Significantly greater extents of wetland inundation – for the Murray River (Hume Dam to\nWentworth), there could be up to 97% increase in the area of wetlands inundated4 and nearly\ntwo-thirds of floodplain wetland habitats could be inundated in the Mid-Murrumbidgee5.\n• Up to 294% increase in the area of native vegetation that can be reached by environmental flows\nin the Murray (Hume Dam to Wentworth)6.\n• A 114% increase in river red gum forests and woodlands remaining healthy during drier years in\nthe Murrumbidgee7.\n• An increase in long-term average golden perch populations by up to 29%, and minimum\npopulations by up to 45% during dry periods in the Murray River (Hume Dam to Wentworth)8.\n• The inundation of 2 and half times more water dependent vegetation communities in the\nGoulburn9.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- [Page 46]\nAppendix B: The Basin Plan\nrequirement\n7.08A Constraints relaxation implementation roadmap\n(1) The object of this section is to assist the Commonwealth and Basin States to identify measures\nto relax constraints, and develop and implement them in a way that:\n(a) maximises the benefits of the constraint measures to deliver environmental outcomes,\nincluding but not limited to enhanced environmental outcomes and outcomes\nidentified by the Constraints Management Strategy; and\n(b) provides, as far as practicable, a common approach across river systems and jurisdictions\nincluding, but not limited to, in relation to:\n(i) reporting, transparency and public accountability; and\n(ii) program implementation and governance including regulatory approvals; and\n(iii) supporting the acceleration of constraint measures by 31 December 2026; and\n(iv) managing impacts on third parties.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- [Page 33]\nFinding 4: It is important to provide an avenue for landholders\nparticipating in the program to express concerns, access trusted\ninformation and seek support\nThe purpose of this function is to provide a source for those seeking up to date information on\nconstraints relaxation, including on issues relating to equity, transparency and cross border issues.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- [pages 1,2,3,4]\n[Page 1]\nConstraints Relaxation\nImplementation Roadmap\nA guide for governments to progress\nconstraints relaxation projects\nDecember 2024\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- These actions will\ncomplement existing initiatives being pursued by the MDBA and NSW Government to remove\nimpediments to flow and fish passage in the Lower Darling (Baaka) and the Great Darling Anabranch\nand improve connectivity with the Murray.\n• Finding 8: In relaxing constraints, Basin state governments should work with community to\nexplore the trialling of flows up to 18,000 megalitres per day at Weir 32 near Menindee with\ninfrastructure built to higher rates (approximately 30,000 megalitres per day) as part of ‘buffer’\narrangements.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- [pages 9,10,11,12]\n• Finding 10: The Commonwealth and Basin state governments should work together to provide\nthe appropriate authorising environment to allow the operation of relaxed constraints.\n• Finding 11: Improvements in river management tools, systems, processes and communications\nare critical to deliver confidence to operate under relaxed constraints.\n• Finding 12: Basin state governments should invest in programs that focus on monitoring,\nevaluating, reporting and learning from the delivery of water to support the objectives of\nconstraints relaxation implementation.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- Although\nsome progress has been made over the past decade, efforts to resolve the flow constraints issues in\nthe northern and southern connected Basin have been hindered by challenges in funding,\ngovernance, collaboration, and communication.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- Relevant Roadmap findings developed in\nBasin Plan elements consultation with Basin States, the\nCommonwealth and the public\nTo assist the Commonwealth and Basin States to maximise the Findings 1, 2, 3, 8, 11 & 12.\nbenefits of constraint measures to deliver environmental outcomes\nTo provide a common approach across river systems & jurisdictions on:\nReporting, transparency and public accountability Findings 1, 2, 4, 5, 11 & 12.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- Program implementation and governance including regulatory Findings 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, & 10\napprovals\nSupporting the acceleration of constraint measures by 31 December Findings 5 and 6\n2026\nManaging impacts on third parties Findings 1, 2, 4, 10, 11 & 12\n8\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- 26 Muray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) (2017), Lessons from easement programs: MDBA’s experience with\nthe Hume-Yarrawonga Easement Program (i.e., 1980’s to early 2000s)\n27 Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment & Water (DCCEEW) (2024),\nIndependent Assessment of the Murray-Darling Basin’s Supply and Constraints Measures, report prepared for\nDCCEEW by Aurecon Australasia Pty Ltd; and\nAustralian Government Productivity Commission (2023), Murray–Darling Basin Plan: Implementation Review\n2023, Inquiry Report.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- [pages 31,32,33]\nnderway under the SDLAM\nand Northern Basin Toolkit programs, noting that funding for these programs ends in 2026.\n• Evaluation, focusing on firstly installing infrastructure and processes that mitigate third party\nimpacts to allow higher flows to be gradually trialled.\n• The continual collection of flow data to refine models and operational and complementary\nprocesses such as pre-release and flood management procedures, notification systems and risk\nmitigation strategies.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n\n## Corporate Values and Operating Culture\n\n- [Page 46]\nAppendix B: The Basin Plan\nrequirement\n7.08A Constraints relaxation implementation roadmap\n(1) The object of this section is to assist the Commonwealth and Basin States to identify measures\nto relax constraints, and develop and implement them in a way that:\n(a) maximises the benefits of the constraint measures to deliver environmental outcomes,\nincluding but not limited to enhanced environmental outcomes and outcomes\nidentified by the Constraints Management Strategy; and\n(b) provides, as far as practicable, a common approach across river systems and jurisdictions\nincluding, but not limited to, in relation to:\n(i) reporting, transparency and public accountability; and\n(ii) program implementation and governance including regulatory approvals; and\n(iii) supporting the acceleration of constraint measures by 31 December 2026; and\n(iv) managing impacts on third parties.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- Relevant Roadmap findings developed in\nBasin Plan elements consultation with Basin States, the\nCommonwealth and the public\nTo assist the Commonwealth and Basin States to maximise the Findings 1, 2, 3, 8, 11 & 12.\nbenefits of constraint measures to deliver environmental outcomes\nTo provide a common approach across river systems & jurisdictions on:\nReporting, transparency and public accountability Findings 1, 2, 4, 5, 11 & 12.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- To secure the delivery of constraints, a longer-term program is needed to ensure:\n• Renewed commitment across governments to give effect to agreed outcomes, confirmation of\nroles and responsibilities and agreed principles for collaboration.\n• Fit for purpose, integrated program delivery over a realistic timeframe.\n• Governance that supports the resolution of issues at inter-jurisdictional as well as project levels\nwith a stewardship role for the MDBA.\n• Improved assurance and clear milestones linked to a high-level workplan for accountability and\ntransparency.\n• An ‘offramp’ or viable pathway to continue those projects already underway under the SDLAM\nand Northern Basin Toolkit programs, noting that funding for these programs ends in 2026.\n• Evaluation, focusing on firstly installing infrastructure and processes that mitigate third party\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- If Basin governments were to agree, 10 years is\nconsidered appropriate and would align with the 10-yearly review of the Basin Plan (2036),\nsupporting the final reconciliation of the program against the Basin Plan outcomes.\n• Finding 3: Successfully relaxing constraints across the Basin requires a 10-year program and\nmust include fit for purpose governance arrangements.\n• Finding 4: It is important to provide an avenue for landholders participating in the program to\nexpress concerns, access trusted information and seek support.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- [Page 15]\nWhat the science says\nConstraints relaxation would result in:\n• Significantly greater extents of wetland inundation – for the Murray River (Hume Dam to\nWentworth), there could be up to 97% increase in the area of wetlands inundated4 and nearly\ntwo-thirds of floodplain wetland habitats could be inundated in the Mid-Murrumbidgee5.\n• Up to 294% increase in the area of native vegetation that can be reached by environmental flows\nin the Murray (Hume Dam to Wentworth)6.\n• A 114% increase in river red gum forests and woodlands remaining healthy during drier years in\nthe Murrumbidgee7.\n• An increase in long-term average golden perch populations by up to 29%, and minimum\npopulations by up to 45% during dry periods in the Murray River (Hume Dam to Wentworth)8.\n• The inundation of 2 and half times more water dependent vegetation communities in the\nGoulburn9.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- Without them, it may not be possible sustain ecosystem health\nover the longer-term.\n• In the River Murray from Hume Dam to Yarrawonga and the Edward-Wakool system, improved\nenvironmental outcomes are achievable under wet, medium and dry future climates at flow\noptions ranging from 25,000 to 45,000 ML/day.\n• In the mid and lower Murray along the main river, improved environmental outcomes are\nachieved under all climate conditions most noticeably up to 25,000 ML/day.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- The MDBA suggests that consultation with the community include, but not limited to, a focus on the\nfollowing:\n• Hume to Yarrawonga: exploring what benefits can be achieved withing existing flow easements\n(25,000 ML/day) and up to 30,000 ML/day.\n• Yarrawonga to Wakool: exploring what benefits can be achieved by flows between 30,000 to\n35,000 ML/day with infrastructure built to higher rates to incorporate adequate freeboard.\n• Goulburn below Eildon: exploring what benefits can be achieved by flows up to 12,000 ML/day\nwith infrastructure built to higher rates (such as ~14,000 ML/day) to incorporate adequate\nfreeboard.\n• Goulburn River below Goulburn Weir: exploring what benefits can be achieved by flows up to\n21,000 ML/day with infrastructure built to 25,000 ML/d to incorporate adequate freeboard.\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)`\n- Lock 8 will continue to target between 20 – 30 cm below\nFSL, while Lock 7 will target 8 – 10 cm below FSL.\n Source: `other-pdfs/Weekly-Report-29-April-2026.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/Weekly-Report-29-April-2026.pdf)`\n\n## Global Ideas and Case Study Inputs\n\n_No global-intelligence source text found yet. Run `CLAUDE/global-ideas-scraper.py ` to populate case-study sources._\n\n## Source Artifacts Used\n\n- `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf` - strategies - http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf\n- `pages/about.html` - pages - http://www.mdba.gov.au/about-us/contact-us\n- `pages/homepage.html` - pages - http://www.mdba.gov.au/about-us/governance/advisory-committee-social-economic-environmental-sciences\n- `pages/leadership.html` - pages - http://www.mdba.gov.au/about-us/who-we-are/our-leadership-team\n- `pages/ministerial-releases-index.html` - pages - http://www.mdba.gov.au/about-us/governance-and-committees/murray-darling-basin-ministerial-council\n- `pages/news-latest.html` - pages - http://www.mdba.gov.au/news-and-events\n- `pages/priorities-index.html` - pages - http://www.mdba.gov.au/about-us/what-we-do\n- `pages/publications-index.html` - pages - http://www.mdba.gov.au/publications-and-data\n- `pages/reviews-index.html` - pages - http://www.mdba.gov.au/about-us/accountability-and-reporting/independent-reviews\n- `pages/strategies-index.html` - pages - http://www.mdba.gov.au/water-management/basin-plan-review/discussion-paper\n- `pages/strategies-index__00.html` - pages - https://www.mdba.gov.au/water-management/basin-plan-review/discussion-paper\n- `pages/strategies-index__01.html` - pages - http://www.mdba.gov.au/water-management/basin-plan-review/discussion-paper\n- `pages/strategies-index__02.html` - pages - http://www.mdba.gov.au/publications-and-data\n- `pages/strategies-index__03.html` - pages - http://www.mdba.gov.au/publications-and-data/publications\n- `pages/strategies-index__04.html` - pages - http://www.mdba.gov.au/publications-and-data/maps-and-spatial-data\n- `pages/strategies-index__05.html` - pages - http://www.mdba.gov.au/publications-and-data/data-and-dashboards\n- `pages/strategies-index__06.html` - pages - http://www.mdba.gov.au/publications-and-data/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap\n- `pages/strategies-index__07.html` - pages - http://www.mdba.gov.au/basin/plants-and-wildlife/fish/native-fish-recovery\n- `pages/strategies-index__08.html` - pages - http://www.mdba.gov.au/water-management/basin-plan/sustainable-diversion-limit-adjustment-mechanism/reconciliation\n- `pages/strategies-index__11.html` - pages - http://www.mdba.gov.au/publications-and-data/maps-and-spatial-data/maps\n- `pages/strategies-index__12.html` - pages - http://www.mdba.gov.au/publications-and-data/maps-and-spatial-data/basinview-monitoring-tool\n- `pages/strategies-index__14.html` - pages - http://www.mdba.gov.au/publications-and-data/maps-and-spatial-data/geospatial-data-services-request-form\n- `pages/strategies-index__15.html` - pages - http://www.mdba.gov.au/publications-and-data/maps-and-spatial-data/geospatial-data-services-request/privacy-collection\n- `pages/strategies-index__17.html` - pages - http://www.mdba.gov.au/publications-and-data/data-and-dashboards/current-basin-water-storage-report\n- `pages/strategies-index__20.html` - pages - http://www.mdba.gov.au/publications-and-data/data-and-dashboards/river-murray-weekly-reports-0\n- `pages/strategies-index__21.html` - pages - http://www.mdba.gov.au/publications-and-data/data-and-dashboards/river-murray-weekly-reports/weekly-report-2025\n- `pages/strategies-index__22.html` - pages - http://www.mdba.gov.au/publications-and-data/data-and-dashboards/river-murray-weekly-reports/weekly-report-2024\n- `pages/strategies-index__23.html` - pages - http://www.mdba.gov.au/publications-and-data/data-and-dashboards/river-murray-weekly-reports/weekly-report-2023\n- `pages/strategies-index__24.html` - pages - http://www.mdba.gov.au/publications-and-data/data-and-dashboards/river-murray-weekly-reports/weekly-report-2022\n- `pages/strategies-index__27.html` - pages - http://www.mdba.gov.au/publications-and-data/data-and-dashboards/river-murray-weekly-reports/weekly-report-2019\n- `other-pdfs/Basin-Storage-22-Apr-2026.pdf` - other-pdfs - http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/water-storages-pdf/Basin-Storage-22-Apr-2026.pdf\n- `other-pdfs/Weekly-Report-29-April-2026.pdf` - other-pdfs - http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/Weekly-Report-29-April-2026.pdf\n\n## Gaps To Fix\n\n- No corporate plan text source found.\n- No annual report text source found.\n- No global comparison/case-study sources found.", "legislation_md": "# Advisory Committee on Social, Economic and Environmental Sciences - Acts and Legislation Discovery\n\n**Generated at**: 2026-05-09T21:04:10.857979+00:00\n**Entity ID**: B-002140\n**Jurisdiction**: Commonwealth\n**Portfolio**: Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water\n\n> This is an evidence-based discovery list from scraped department material. A mention does not always mean the department administers the legislation; high-confidence and official register links should be reviewed.\n\n## Summary\n\n- Source files scanned: 32\n- Unique legislation references found: 3\n\n| Type | Count |\n|---|---:|\n| Act | 3 |\n\n## Legislation References\n\n### Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999\n\n**Type**: Act\n**Confidence**: medium\n**Mentions**: 1\n**Register search**: https://www.legislation.gov.au/search?query=Environment+Protection+and+Biodiversity+Conservation+Act+1999\n\n**Sources**:\n- `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pages.jsonl`\n\n**Evidence contexts**:\n- ealth lines.\nAs will be common ground, States and Territories have their own land use and planning laws which\nwill have a bearing on some projects. There are also requirements for assessment and approval\nunder Commonwealth law. For example, referral under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity\nConservation Act 1999 is a matter that requires consideration where activities will have or are likely\nto have significant impacts on certain aspects of the environment including matters of national\nenvironmental significance. These matters of national environmental significance i\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pages.jsonl`\n\n### Water Amendment (Restoring Our Rivers) Act 2023\n\n**Type**: Act\n**Confidence**: medium\n**Mentions**: 1\n**Register search**: https://www.legislation.gov.au/search?query=Water+Amendment+%28Restoring+Our+Rivers%29+Act+2023\n\n**Sources**:\n- `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pages.jsonl`\n\n**Evidence contexts**:\n- estoring rivers and to ensuring maximum utility and benefit is gained from water that\nis recovered for the environment. This report urges all parties to act now to create lasting change.\n1 See section 7.08A of the Basin Plan as amended by the Water Amendment (Restoring Our Rivers) Act 2023\n(see Appendix B).\n2\n\n[page 6]\nExecutive Summary\nRelaxing constraints is about increasing the connection between our rivers and floodplains to\nimprove river health for everyone’s benefit. By relaxing some of the barriers to controlled\nenvironmental water flow,\n Source: `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pages.jsonl`\n\n### What Water Act 2007\n\n**Type**: Act\n**Confidence**: medium\n**Mentions**: 1\n**Register search**: https://www.legislation.gov.au/search?query=What+Water+Act+2007\n\n**Sources**:\n- `pages/strategies-index__14.html`\n\n**Evidence contexts**:\n- advice;\n(n)  to do anything incidental or conducive to the performance of any of the above functions.\nNote:          The Authority also has the functions conferred on it by Part 1A (The Murray‑Darling Basin Agreement) and Part 2A (Critical human water needs).\nWhat Water Act 2007 (Cth) function applies to this request?\n- Select -\n172 (1) (a) (i)\n172 (1) (a) (iii)\n172 (1) (b) (i)\n172 (1) (b) (ii)\n172 (1) (b) (iii)\n172 (1) (b) (iv)\n172 (1) (b) (v)\n172 (1) (b) (vi)\n172 (1) (c)\n172 (1) (d) (i)\n172 (1) (d) (ii)\n172 (1) (d) (iii)\n172 (1) (d\n Source: `pages/strategies-index__14.html`\n\n## Files Scanned\n\n- `pages/about.html` (page)\n- `pages/homepage.html` (page)\n- `pages/leadership.html` (page)\n- `pages/ministerial-releases-index.html` (page)\n- `pages/news-latest.html` (page)\n- `pages/priorities-index.html` (page)\n- `pages/publications-index.html` (page)\n- `pages/reviews-index.html` (page)\n- `pages/strategies-index.html` (page)\n- `pages/strategies-index__00.html` (page)\n- `pages/strategies-index__01.html` (page)\n- `pages/strategies-index__02.html` (page)\n- `pages/strategies-index__03.html` (page)\n- `pages/strategies-index__04.html` (page)\n- `pages/strategies-index__05.html` (page)\n- `pages/strategies-index__06.html` (page)\n- `pages/strategies-index__07.html` (page)\n- `pages/strategies-index__08.html` (page)\n- `pages/strategies-index__11.html` (page)\n- `pages/strategies-index__12.html` (page)\n- `pages/strategies-index__14.html` (page)\n- `pages/strategies-index__15.html` (page)\n- `pages/strategies-index__17.html` (page)\n- `pages/strategies-index__20.html` (page)\n- `pages/strategies-index__21.html` (page)\n- `pages/strategies-index__22.html` (page)\n- `pages/strategies-index__23.html` (page)\n- `pages/strategies-index__24.html` (page)\n- `pages/strategies-index__27.html` (page)\n- `other-pdfs/Basin-Storage-22-Apr-2026.pages.jsonl` (pdf_pages)\n- `other-pdfs/Weekly-Report-29-April-2026.pages.jsonl` (pdf_pages)\n- `strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pages.jsonl` (pdf_pages)", "global_initiatives_md": null, "strategy": { "reporting_period": "2024-25", "corporate_plan_period": "2025-26", "vision": null, "vision_source_page": null, "purposes": null, "purposes_source_page": null, "how_we_deliver": null, "how_we_deliver_source_page": null, "government_priorities": [], "outcomes": [ { "name": "Outcome 1: Basin Plan environmental outcomes", "description": "Relaxing constraints to water flow will help to realise the full environmental benefits from water recovered for the environment so far; this could provide generational benefits for local communities and First Nations peoples as well as vegetation, fish and waterbirds.", "key_activities": [ "Achieving Basin Plan environmental outcomes without solely relying on further water recovery", "Realising the full benefits of public investment in water recovered for the environment", "Targeting local and system-wide outcomes on target rivers", "Supporting healthy rivers and floodplains for the social and economic future of Basin communities", "Working with communities to improve the timing, frequency, duration, and extent of flows that support the environment", "Investing in on-ground works and measures to mitigate impacts from higher environmental flows and that support benefits for affected landholders", "Involving First Nations peoples to maximise Cultural outcomes and realise co-benefits", "Recognising community and First Nations peoples’ knowledge can shape the future management of local river systems, Cultural landscapes, and environments", "Creating a flow corridor that allows higher environmental flows to be gradually and carefully trialled in partnership with communities and First Nations groups to ensure we get it right" ], "source_page": 12 } ], "values": [], "values_framework_name": null, "kpi_targets_2025_26": [ { "code": "CCE01", "measure": "Relaxed constraints allow the restoration of some of the missing natural events under medium and dry future climate scenarios and enhanced environmental outcomes under a wet future climate.", "target": "Achieve environmental benefits by increasing environmental water managers’ capacity to use opportunities that are expected to occur less frequently than historically observed to water overbank and adapt to climate change by reducing the time gap between lower floodplain wetting events.", "source_page": 16 }, { "code": "CCE02", "measure": "In the River Murray from Hume Dam to Yarrawonga and the Edward-Wakool system, improved environmental outcomes are achievable under wet, medium and dry future climates at flow options ranging from 25,000 to 45,000 ML/day.", "target": "Achieve improved environmental outcomes under all climate conditions most noticeably up to 25,000 ML/day. However, under a future dry climate, flows options beyond 25,000 ML/day to sustain floodplain outcomes by making the ecosystem more resilient.", "source_page": 16 }, { "code": "CCE03", "measure": "Further enhancements of environmental outcomes are likely possible with improved coordination of flows between Murray and Goulburn rivers, and if the constraint level in the Lower Darling River is relaxed.", "target": "Achieve further enhancements of environmental outcomes.", "source_page": 16 } ], "kpi_results_2024_25": [], "_source_urls": { "annual_report_url": "", "corporate_plan_url": "https://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/mdba-corporate-plan-2025-2026.pdf" } }, "ideas": [ { "entity_id": "B-002140", "entity_name": "Advisory Committee on Social, Economic and Environmental Sciences", "folder_name": "Advisory-Committee-on-Social-Economic-and-Environmental-Sciences", "category": "Data & Performance", "scale": "small", "title": "KPI evidence register with named owners", "idea": "Create a simple register mapping each KPI to source data, owner, frequency, target, and last result.", "quote": "[Page 46]\nAppendix B: The Basin Plan\nrequirement\n7.08A Constraints relaxation implementation roadmap\n(1) The object of this section is to assist the Commonwealth and Basin States to identify measures\nto relax constraints, and develop and implement them in a way that:\n(a) maximises the benefits of the constraint measures to deliver environmental outcomes,\nincluding but not limited to enhanced environmental outcomes and outcomes\nidentified by the Constraints Management Strategy; and\n(b) provides, as far as practicable, a common approach across river systems and jurisdictions\nincluding, but not limited to, in relation to:\n(i) reporting, transparency and public accountability; and\n(ii) program implementation and governance including regulatory approvals; and\n(iii) supporting the acceleration of constraint measures by 31 December 2026; and\n(iv) managing impacts on third parties.", "impact": "High", "effort": "Low", "proof": "Evidence-backed", "beneficiaries": "Executives / Parliament / public", "source": "strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)", "implementation": [ "Pick one high-volume process or document family.", "Name an owner and baseline current volume, time, cost, and satisfaction.", "Run a 4-8 week pilot with clear before/after metrics.", "Publish lessons and decide whether to scale." ], "risks": [ "Privacy and data quality", "Change fatigue", "Unclear accountability" ] }, { "entity_id": "B-002140", "entity_name": "Advisory Committee on Social, Economic and Environmental Sciences", "folder_name": "Advisory-Committee-on-Social-Economic-and-Environmental-Sciences", "category": "Data & Performance", "scale": "large", "title": "Outcome dashboard linking budget, delivery, and public impact", "idea": "Build a public-facing outcome dashboard showing spend, outputs, outcomes, and delivery confidence.", "quote": "[Page 46]\nAppendix B: The Basin Plan\nrequirement\n7.08A Constraints relaxation implementation roadmap\n(1) The object of this section is to assist the Commonwealth and Basin States to identify measures\nto relax constraints, and develop and implement them in a way that:\n(a) maximises the benefits of the constraint measures to deliver environmental outcomes,\nincluding but not limited to enhanced environmental outcomes and outcomes\nidentified by the Constraints Management Strategy; and\n(b) provides, as far as practicable, a common approach across river systems and jurisdictions\nincluding, but not limited to, in relation to:\n(i) reporting, transparency and public accountability; and\n(ii) program implementation and governance including regulatory approvals; and\n(iii) supporting the acceleration of constraint measures by 31 December 2026; and\n(iv) managing impacts on third parties.", "impact": "Very High", "effort": "High", "proof": "Evidence-backed", "beneficiaries": "Executives / Parliament / public", "source": "strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)", "implementation": [ "Create a senior responsible owner and cross-functional delivery team.", "Map legislation, data, privacy, procurement, cyber, and workforce constraints.", "Co-design with users and frontline staff before technology selection.", "Stage delivery through pilots, benefits tracking, and public reporting." ], "risks": [ "Privacy and data quality", "Change fatigue", "Unclear accountability" ] }, { "entity_id": "B-002140", "entity_name": "Advisory Committee on Social, Economic and Environmental Sciences", "folder_name": "Advisory-Committee-on-Social-Economic-and-Environmental-Sciences", "category": "Procurement & Delivery", "scale": "small", "title": "Procurement lessons library for repeat purchases", "idea": "Capture reusable procurement clauses, market lessons, supplier performance notes, and common evaluation criteria.", "quote": "To secure the delivery of constraints, a longer-term program is needed to ensure:\n• Renewed commitment across governments to give effect to agreed outcomes, confirmation of\nroles and responsibilities and agreed principles for collaboration.\n• Fit for purpose, integrated program delivery over a realistic timeframe.\n• Governance that supports the resolution of issues at inter-jurisdictional as well as project levels\nwith a stewardship role for the MDBA.\n• Improved assurance and clear milestones linked to a high-level workplan for accountability and\ntransparency.\n• An ‘offramp’ or viable pathway to continue those projects already underway under the SDLAM\nand Northern Basin Toolkit programs, noting that funding for these programs ends in 2026.\n• Evaluation, focusing on firstly installing infrastructure and processes that mitigate third party", "impact": "High", "effort": "Low", "proof": "Evidence-backed", "beneficiaries": "Delivery teams / suppliers", "source": "strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)", "implementation": [ "Pick one high-volume process or document family.", "Name an owner and baseline current volume, time, cost, and satisfaction.", "Run a 4-8 week pilot with clear before/after metrics.", "Publish lessons and decide whether to scale." ], "risks": [ "Privacy and data quality", "Change fatigue", "Unclear accountability" ] }, { "entity_id": "B-002140", "entity_name": "Advisory Committee on Social, Economic and Environmental Sciences", "folder_name": "Advisory-Committee-on-Social-Economic-and-Environmental-Sciences", "category": "Procurement & Delivery", "scale": "large", "title": "Portfolio delivery office for major investments", "idea": "Stand up a portfolio delivery office that tracks benefits, risks, dependencies, procurement, and delivery confidence.", "quote": "To secure the delivery of constraints, a longer-term program is needed to ensure:\n• Renewed commitment across governments to give effect to agreed outcomes, confirmation of\nroles and responsibilities and agreed principles for collaboration.\n• Fit for purpose, integrated program delivery over a realistic timeframe.\n• Governance that supports the resolution of issues at inter-jurisdictional as well as project levels\nwith a stewardship role for the MDBA.\n• Improved assurance and clear milestones linked to a high-level workplan for accountability and\ntransparency.\n• An ‘offramp’ or viable pathway to continue those projects already underway under the SDLAM\nand Northern Basin Toolkit programs, noting that funding for these programs ends in 2026.\n• Evaluation, focusing on firstly installing infrastructure and processes that mitigate third party", "impact": "Very High", "effort": "High", "proof": "Evidence-backed", "beneficiaries": "Delivery teams / suppliers", "source": "strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)", "implementation": [ "Create a senior responsible owner and cross-functional delivery team.", "Map legislation, data, privacy, procurement, cyber, and workforce constraints.", "Co-design with users and frontline staff before technology selection.", "Stage delivery through pilots, benefits tracking, and public reporting." ], "risks": [ "Privacy and data quality", "Change fatigue", "Unclear accountability" ] }, { "entity_id": "B-002140", "entity_name": "Advisory Committee on Social, Economic and Environmental Sciences", "folder_name": "Advisory-Committee-on-Social-Economic-and-Environmental-Sciences", "category": "Citizen Participation", "scale": "small", "title": "Consultation feedback summaries with response tracking", "idea": "Summarise consultation submissions by theme and publish what changed in response.", "quote": "The MDBA suggests that consultation with the community include, but not limited to, a focus on the\nfollowing:\n• Hume to Yarrawonga: exploring what benefits can be achieved withing existing flow easements\n(25,000 ML/day) and up to 30,000 ML/day.\n• Yarrawonga to Wakool: exploring what benefits can be achieved by flows between 30,000 to\n35,000 ML/day with infrastructure built to higher rates to incorporate adequate freeboard.\n• Goulburn below Eildon: exploring what benefits can be achieved by flows up to 12,000 ML/day\nwith infrastructure built to higher rates (such as ~14,000 ML/day) to incorporate adequate\nfreeboard.\n• Goulburn River below Goulburn Weir: exploring what benefits can be achieved by flows up to\n21,000 ML/day with infrastructure built to 25,000 ML/d to incorporate adequate freeboard.", "impact": "High", "effort": "Low", "proof": "Evidence-backed", "beneficiaries": "Citizens / stakeholders / policy teams", "source": "strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)", "implementation": [ "Pick one high-volume process or document family.", "Name an owner and baseline current volume, time, cost, and satisfaction.", "Run a 4-8 week pilot with clear before/after metrics.", "Publish lessons and decide whether to scale." ], "risks": [ "Privacy and data quality", "Change fatigue", "Unclear accountability", "Digital exclusion", "Low public trust if feedback is not acted on" ] }, { "entity_id": "B-002140", "entity_name": "Advisory Committee on Social, Economic and Environmental Sciences", "folder_name": "Advisory-Committee-on-Social-Economic-and-Environmental-Sciences", "category": "Citizen Participation", "scale": "large", "title": "Always-on policy participation platform", "idea": "Create a standing participation platform where citizens and stakeholders can propose, vote, and track ideas.", "quote": "The MDBA suggests that consultation with the community include, but not limited to, a focus on the\nfollowing:\n• Hume to Yarrawonga: exploring what benefits can be achieved withing existing flow easements\n(25,000 ML/day) and up to 30,000 ML/day.\n• Yarrawonga to Wakool: exploring what benefits can be achieved by flows between 30,000 to\n35,000 ML/day with infrastructure built to higher rates to incorporate adequate freeboard.\n• Goulburn below Eildon: exploring what benefits can be achieved by flows up to 12,000 ML/day\nwith infrastructure built to higher rates (such as ~14,000 ML/day) to incorporate adequate\nfreeboard.\n• Goulburn River below Goulburn Weir: exploring what benefits can be achieved by flows up to\n21,000 ML/day with infrastructure built to 25,000 ML/d to incorporate adequate freeboard.", "impact": "Very High", "effort": "High", "proof": "Evidence-backed", "beneficiaries": "Citizens / stakeholders / policy teams", "source": "strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)", "implementation": [ "Create a senior responsible owner and cross-functional delivery team.", "Map legislation, data, privacy, procurement, cyber, and workforce constraints.", "Co-design with users and frontline staff before technology selection.", "Stage delivery through pilots, benefits tracking, and public reporting." ], "risks": [ "Privacy and data quality", "Change fatigue", "Unclear accountability", "Digital exclusion", "Low public trust if feedback is not acted on" ] }, { "entity_id": "B-002140", "entity_name": "Advisory Committee on Social, Economic and Environmental Sciences", "folder_name": "Advisory-Committee-on-Social-Economic-and-Environmental-Sciences", "category": "Risk & Assurance", "scale": "small", "title": "Recommendation tracker for audits, reviews, and inquiries", "idea": "Publish a single internal tracker for audit/review recommendations, owners, due dates, and implementation evidence.", "quote": "Although\nsome progress has been made over the past decade, efforts to resolve the flow constraints issues in\nthe northern and southern connected Basin have been hindered by challenges in funding,\ngovernance, collaboration, and communication.", "impact": "High", "effort": "Low", "proof": "Evidence-backed", "beneficiaries": "Executives / assurance teams", "source": "strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)", "implementation": [ "Pick one high-volume process or document family.", "Name an owner and baseline current volume, time, cost, and satisfaction.", "Run a 4-8 week pilot with clear before/after metrics.", "Publish lessons and decide whether to scale." ], "risks": [ "Privacy and data quality", "Change fatigue", "Unclear accountability", "Regulatory capture", "Over-automation of judgement" ] }, { "entity_id": "B-002140", "entity_name": "Advisory Committee on Social, Economic and Environmental Sciences", "folder_name": "Advisory-Committee-on-Social-Economic-and-Environmental-Sciences", "category": "Risk & Assurance", "scale": "large", "title": "Integrated assurance and lessons-learned system", "idea": "Create an assurance system that connects audit findings, risk registers, delivery reviews, and investment decisions.", "quote": "Although\nsome progress has been made over the past decade, efforts to resolve the flow constraints issues in\nthe northern and southern connected Basin have been hindered by challenges in funding,\ngovernance, collaboration, and communication.", "impact": "Very High", "effort": "High", "proof": "Evidence-backed", "beneficiaries": "Executives / assurance teams", "source": "strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)", "implementation": [ "Create a senior responsible owner and cross-functional delivery team.", "Map legislation, data, privacy, procurement, cyber, and workforce constraints.", "Co-design with users and frontline staff before technology selection.", "Stage delivery through pilots, benefits tracking, and public reporting." ], "risks": [ "Privacy and data quality", "Change fatigue", "Unclear accountability", "Regulatory capture", "Over-automation of judgement" ] }, { "entity_id": "B-002140", "entity_name": "Advisory Committee on Social, Economic and Environmental Sciences", "folder_name": "Advisory-Committee-on-Social-Economic-and-Environmental-Sciences", "category": "Regulation & Policy", "scale": "small", "title": "Regulatory burden scan for forms, guidance, and reporting", "idea": "Identify the top 10 highest-friction reporting obligations and simplify guidance, forms, or evidence requirements.", "quote": "Program implementation and governance including regulatory Findings 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, & 10\napprovals\nSupporting the acceleration of constraint measures by 31 December Findings 5 and 6\n2026\nManaging impacts on third parties Findings 1, 2, 4, 10, 11 & 12\n8", "impact": "High", "effort": "Low", "proof": "Evidence-backed", "beneficiaries": "Regulated entities / policy teams", "source": "strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)", "implementation": [ "Pick one high-volume process or document family.", "Name an owner and baseline current volume, time, cost, and satisfaction.", "Run a 4-8 week pilot with clear before/after metrics.", "Publish lessons and decide whether to scale." ], "risks": [ "Privacy and data quality", "Change fatigue", "Unclear accountability", "Regulatory capture", "Over-automation of judgement" ] }, { "entity_id": "B-002140", "entity_name": "Advisory Committee on Social, Economic and Environmental Sciences", "folder_name": "Advisory-Committee-on-Social-Economic-and-Environmental-Sciences", "category": "Regulation & Policy", "scale": "large", "title": "Adaptive regulation program with live feedback loops", "idea": "Create an adaptive regulation model using sandboxes, industry data, risk scoring, and regular rule updates.", "quote": "Program implementation and governance including regulatory Findings 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, & 10\napprovals\nSupporting the acceleration of constraint measures by 31 December Findings 5 and 6\n2026\nManaging impacts on third parties Findings 1, 2, 4, 10, 11 & 12\n8", "impact": "Very High", "effort": "High", "proof": "Evidence-backed", "beneficiaries": "Regulated entities / policy teams", "source": "strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)", "implementation": [ "Create a senior responsible owner and cross-functional delivery team.", "Map legislation, data, privacy, procurement, cyber, and workforce constraints.", "Co-design with users and frontline staff before technology selection.", "Stage delivery through pilots, benefits tracking, and public reporting." ], "risks": [ "Privacy and data quality", "Change fatigue", "Unclear accountability", "Regulatory capture", "Over-automation of judgement" ] }, { "entity_id": "B-002140", "entity_name": "Advisory Committee on Social, Economic and Environmental Sciences", "folder_name": "Advisory-Committee-on-Social-Economic-and-Environmental-Sciences", "category": "Citizen Services", "scale": "small", "title": "Plain-language service pages and proactive status updates", "idea": "Rewrite high-volume pages and letters into plain language, add status notifications, and measure contact reduction.", "quote": "[Page 33]\nFinding 4: It is important to provide an avenue for landholders\nparticipating in the program to express concerns, access trusted\ninformation and seek support\nThe purpose of this function is to provide a source for those seeking up to date information on\nconstraints relaxation, including on issues relating to equity, transparency and cross border issues.", "impact": "High", "effort": "Low", "proof": "Evidence-backed", "beneficiaries": "Citizens / service users", "source": "strategies/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf (http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/constraints-relaxation-implementation-roadmap_0.pdf)", "implementation": [ "Pick one high-volume process or document family.", "Name an owner and baseline current volume, time, cost, and satisfaction.", "Run a 4-8 week pilot with clear before/after metrics.", "Publish lessons and decide whether to scale." ], "risks": [ "Privacy and data quality", "Change fatigue", "Unclear accountability", "Digital exclusion", "Low public trust if feedback is not acted on" ] }, { "entity_id": "B-002140", "entity_name": "Advisory Committee on Social, Economic and Environmental Sciences", "folder_name": "Advisory-Committee-on-Social-Economic-and-Environmental-Sciences", "category": "Citizen Services", "scale": "large", "title": "Single front door for life-event based services", "idea": "Bundle services around life events so citizens can complete related steps across agencies in one journey.", "quote": "[Page 33]\nFinding 4: It is important to provide an avenue for landholders\nparticipating in the program to express concerns, access trusted\ninformation and seek support\nThe purpose of this function is to provide a source for those seeking up to date information on\nconstraints relaxation, including on issues relating to equity, transparency and cross border issues.", "impact": "Very High", "effort": "High", "proof": "Evidence-backed", "beneficiaries": 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