The Plan came into effect on 24 November 2012. It sets
Sustainable Diversion Limits (SDLs) on the
quantities of surface water and groundwater that may be taken from
the Basin's water resources, as well as an overall limit for
the Basin as a whole.
However, such limits will not be enforceable until 2019 and, in
the interim, there will be opportunities for further research to
improve knowledge about environmental water needs as well as the
social and economic impacts. The SDLs will be reviewed in 2015 by
the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) with
input from each of the Basin States. In the course of this review,
regard should be had to, among other things, any improved estimates
of environmental watering needs, water savings initiatives, the
effect of water acquisitions by the Commonwealth and State, policy
changes and improved processes. The Minister should decide any
changes to SDLs in 2016, based on recommendations by MDBA, and such
changes will need to be
