Water Trading Rules for the Murray Darling Basin

The Australian Government's Water Act 2007 requires the Murray-Darling Basin Authority to prepare a strategic plan for the integrated and sustainable management of water resources in the Murray-Darling Basin, called the Basin Plan. The Basin Plan must include rules for the trading or transfer of tradeable water rights relating to Murray-Darling Basin water resources, called the water trading rules.

Under the Water Act, the Murray-Darling Basin Authority is to obtain and have regard to advice by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (the ACCC) on these rules. The ACCC has now released its issues paper on the development of these water trading rules advice to the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) as the first stage of its provision of advice. The ACCC invites interested parties to make submissions on the issues raised in the paper and on water trading more generally.

Making a Submission

Submissions must be provided to the ACCC by Friday, 1 May 2009. These can be sent to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (use the word ‘Submission’ in the subject line) or by mail to the following address: Water Branch: water trading rules issues paper Australian Competition and Consumer Commission GPO Box 520 Melbourne Vic 3001 General inquiries may be directed to the ACCC Infocentre on 1300 302 502 or to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Download the Issues Paper here.