'Absence of trust' in Murray Darling plan

A report into the Murray Darling Basin plan has found enough water can be recovered through efficiency projects alone, but much work is needed to build trust.

A high-level report into the Murray-Darling Basin water plan has unearthed fatigue and a complete absence of trust among stakeholders.

A study into water efficiency measures, carried out by Ernst and Young, has found sufficient evidence 450 gigalitres can be recovered through efficiency projects alone, with either neutral or positive impacts.

However, it has found that despite the efforts of governments to date, there is a lack of clarity about measures and objectives, no common language or trust, and a need for better community and industry engagement.