Appendix C: Outline of the socioeconomic analysis This appendix responds to subsection 47(2) of the Water Act 2007 (Cwlth), which requires the proposed Basin Plan groundwater amendment Plain English Summary to include an outline of the socioeconomic analysis carried out for the proposed amendments to the Basin Plan. The analysis of the proposed groundwater related changes was not linked to the socio-economic analysis undertaken as part of the Northern Basin review. Note: Appendix B provides an outline of the scientific information used as the for the proposed amendments to the Basin Plan. Overview In developing the Plan between 2009 and 2012, the Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) considered existing socio-economic analyses, and commissioned over 20 further studies to assess the potential impacts of meeting the environmental water requirements of the Basin. A separate socio-economic analysis (Socio-economic impacts of Groundwater Amendments to the Basin Plan) was undertaken to assess any potential socio-economic impacts from the proposed changes to groundwater SDLs for the four Water Resource Plan (WRP) areas, and a change to the methodology for ensuring compliance at the state level for groundwater extraction. The analysis principally considers what the potential impacts might be at the regional level, representing the four WRP areas, and what the wider impacts might be from a change to the compliance methodology. This analysis was undertaken separately to the analysis undertaken as part of the Northern Basin review as the groundwater reviews and this analysis were completed prior to the commencement of the main socio-economic studies conducted under the Northern basin review. Optimising environmental, economic and social outcomes The Water Act 2007 (Cwlth) requires the Basin Plan to provide for management of Basin water resources in a way that promotes the objects of the Act. In particular, the plan must establish sustainable diversion limits and environmental and water quality objectives; improving water security; and optimising economic, social and environmental outcomes. The requirements relating to optimising environmental, economic and social outcomes are consistent with the aims of the Commonwealth’s reform agenda, and with other reforms such as the 2004 National Water Initiative and the 2008 Agreement on Murray–Darling Basin Reform. The analyses and information about the benefits and costs of reallocating water resources in the Basin are imperfect. Consequently, in developing the proposed Basin Plan, the Authority has been required to exercise judgement in balancing and considering the outcomes of the work, and other areas of work.
Appendix C: Outline of the socioeconomic analysis This appendix responds to subsection 47(2) of the Water Act 2007 (Cwlth), which requires the proposed Basin Plan groundwater amendment Plain English Summary to include an outline of the socioeconomic analysis carried out for the proposed amendments to the Basin Plan. The analysis of the proposed groundwater related changes was not linked to the socio-economic analysis undertaken as part of the Northern Basin review. Note: Appendix B provides an outline of the scientific information used as the for the proposed amendments to the Basin Plan. Overview In developing the Plan between 2009 and 2012, the Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) considered existing socio-economic analyses, and commissioned over 20 further studies to assess the potential impacts of meeting the environmental water requirements of the Basin. A separate socio-economic analysis (Socio-economic impacts of Groundwater Amendments to the Basin Plan) was undertaken to assess any potential socio-economic impacts from the proposed changes to groundwater SDLs for the four Water Resource Plan (WRP) areas, and a change to the methodology for ensuring compliance at the state level for groundwater extraction. The analysis principally considers what the potential impacts might be at the regional level, representing the four WRP areas, and what the wider impacts might be from a change to the compliance methodology. This analysis was undertaken separately to the analysis undertaken as part of the Northern Basin review as the groundwater reviews and this analysis were completed prior to the commencement of the main socio-economic studies conducted under the Northern basin review. Optimising environmental, economic and social outcomes The Water Act 2007 (Cwlth) requires the Basin Plan to provide for management of Basin water resources in a way that promotes the objects of the Act. In particular, the plan must establish sustainable diversion limits and environmental and water quality objectives; improving water security; and optimising economic, social and environmental outcomes. The requirements relating to optimising environmental, economic and social outcomes are consistent with the aims of the Commonwealth’s reform agenda, and with other reforms such as the 2004 National Water Initiative and the 2008 Agreement on Murray–Darling Basin Reform. The analyses and information about the benefits and costs of reallocating water resources in the Basin are imperfect. Consequently, in developing the proposed Basin Plan, the Authority has been required to exercise judgement in balancing and considering the outcomes of the work, and other areas of work.
BP-amendments-groundwater-additional-info.docx