GREATER Shepparton City Council has formally contributed to the review of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, advocating for a balanced approach that protects both environmental outcomes and the long- term sustainability of regional communities.
At its June Council Meeting, Council noted its submission to the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) in response to the 2026 Basin Plan Review Discussion Paper. The Basin Plan Review is a statutory process that will guide future water management settings across the Basin, with potential long-term implications for water availability, reliability and regional economies.
Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali, said Council’s submission ensures the voice of Greater Shepparton is represented in national water policy discussions.
“Greater Shepparton sits at the heart of one of Australia’s most important irrigated agricultural regions, and water security is critical to our economy, jobs and community wellbeing,” said Cr Sali.
“Our submission highlights the real impacts being experienced locally and calls for future decisions to be grounded in evidence, balance and a clear understanding of regional communities.”
Council’s submission draws on independent economic analysis prepared by Frontier Economics and regional data to outline the cumulative impacts of Basin Plan water recovery in irrigation-dependent areas, such as the Goulburn Valley.
The analysis found that reductions in irrigation water availability, rising water prices, and flow-on effects to agricultural production, food processing, and employment have had a disproportionate impact on regions like Greater Shepparton compared to Basin-wide averages.
Council’s submission calls for a greater focus on consolidating existing reforms, improving the use and management of environmental water, and addressing system constraints such as water delivery limitations and flow management. It also advocates for stronger place-based decision-making, improved modelling of policy options, and alignment between water policy and broader priorities such as food security, regional development, and manufacturing resilience.
The Frontier Economics analysis was developed in collaboration with the Murray River Group of Councils and was lodged with the MDBA in May 2026 as part of Council’s broader submission.
