Water Amendment (Restoring Our Rivers) Bill 2023

Amends the Water Act 2007 and Basin Plan 2012 to: expand the type of projects that can deliver the Basin Plan target of 450 gigalitres (GL) of additional environmental water; repeal the statutory 1,500 GL cap on Commonwealth water purchases; enable funds from the Water for the Environment Special Account to be used to enhance environmental outcomes in the Basin; provide additional time for Basin States to deliver Sustainable Diversion Limit (SDL) Adjustment Mechanism projects; enable the Inspector-General of Water Compliance to determine SDL compliance and require action plans; provide for a roadmap for the delivery of constraints relaxation projects across the Southern Basin; delay the review of the Act from 2024 until 2027; and implement recommendations of the Water market reform: final roadmap report in relation to water markets and water management in the Basin. Also amends the Water Act 2007 to make technical amendments in relation to First Ministers’ Council; and makes consequential amendments to the Water Act 2007 and Competition and Consumer Act 2010.
aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r7076