IN SHORT

- Griffith City Council has endorsed three motions to be submitted to the Australian Local Government Association National General Assembly in Canberra in June 2026, focusing on Murray-Darling Basin Plan reform.

- The motions call for modelling of climate and population impacts on water allocations, amendments to the Water Act 2007, and a halt to further water buybacks until key environmental delivery projects are completed.

- The motions were put forward by Councillor Shari Blumer, who also serves as National President of the Murray Darling Association.

Griffith City Council has thrown its weight behind three water reform motions that will be taken to the Australian Local Government Association National General Assembly in Canberra from June 23 to 25, 2026, as part of the broader 2026 review of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority Basin Plan.

The motions, which carry direct significance for communities across the Murrumbidgee and Murray regions including Hay, Balranald, Carrathool and the Central Darling, were put forward at the Council Meeting on February 24 by Councillor Shari Blumer, who also serves as National President of the Murray Darling Association.

"Water is the lifeblood of our Basin communities, and it's vital we manage it sustainably for people, industry and the environment," Councillor Blumer said.

The first motion urges the Australian Government and the Murray-Darling Basin Authority to model the combined impacts of population growth and climate change on water allocations across the Basin, including for communities, irrigators and industry.

The second calls for amendments to the Water Act 2007 to broaden its objectives to better recognise clean drinking water and critical human water needs, by prescribing additional relevant international agreements.

The third motion seeks to halt further water buybacks until Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism projects, including constraints and Enhanced Environmental Water Delivery works, are fully delivered.

The motions reflect longstanding concerns across Basin communities that water buybacks and policy decisions made at a national level have continued to reduce allocations for towns and agricultural industries without adequate consideration of the cumulative effects on regional economies and populations.

Councillor Blumer said the three motions were about more than water policy in isolation.

"These motions aren't just about water policy, they're about the future of our regions," she said. "By advocating for these reforms at the National General Assembly, we're putting local voices and sustainable solutions front and centre."

The National General Assembly brings together local government representatives from across Australia and provides councils with a formal mechanism to put resolutions to the federal government on matters of national significance.