There is no reason whatsoever for the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) to produce a new plan for post 2014.

The present plan, which expires at that time, fulfils the criteria set out in the Commonwealth Water Act 2007.

Firstly, all that is needed is an update to include the key areas of environmental assets which is the mid Murrumbidgee wetlands.

Secondly, a plan is neeced for the Lowbidgee, which was not included in the original water sharing plan.

Thirdly, the plan needs to be updated to provide rules for permanent and temporary water trading and inter-valley transfers.

There are over 80 mid Murrumbidgee wetlands and

the present method of overbank flooding is both wasteful and inefficient.

For instance the “commence flow” gauge height for Darlington Point lagoon of 6.59 metres requires a flow of 49,100 megalitres per day.

In his forward to the water sharing plan (2003) Minister John Aquilina said: “Readers should note that the major wetland area associated with the Murrumbidgee River system, the Lowbidgee, is not part of this draft water sharing plan.

“While the river flows, as determined by this draft plan, define the water access arrangements for the wetland, distribution of water within the wetland will be determined in the next stage of water management planning.”

Water trading has evolved since the gazettal of the water sharing plan and rules, both local and interstate, have been put in place to a stage where they can be properly documented.

It is imperative that the MDBA update the water sharing plan for the Murrumbidgee not replace it; the missing elements (Lowbidgee and trading) be added using up-to-date information and science; over bank flooding of wetlands should be abandoned by opening up channels and pumping; Murrumbidgee environmental flows should be used within the valley; and Canberra should contribute to environmental flows (perhaps draining Lake Burley Griffin into the Coorong may be a start).