The Federal Government is asking Murray-Darling Basin First Nations people for feedback on how water entitlements bought through a $100 million program should be held, governed, and managed in the long term.
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water said consultation on the proposed “enduring water holding arrangements” is open until 11:59 pm AEDT on Monday, 19 January 2026.
DCCEEW said the arrangements are being co-designed by Basin First Nations Peoples, with government support, and will replace interim governance settings once approved by the Minister for Environment and Water. It said remaining funds and water entitlements from the Aboriginal Water Entitlements Program will be transferred into the enduring model.
The department is directing participants to read an interim report on draft governance models and an interim consultation outcomes report before making submissions through its “Have Your Say” platform.
DCCEEW said the second engagement phase began on 14 November 2025, and is using a mix of on-Country sessions, virtual sessions, online submissions, and meetings with Nations.
It said the co-design process is being facilitated by Cox Inall Ridgeway, described as a First Nations owned and led consultancy, working with a consortium that includes Aurecon Group, Chalk & Behrendt, Indigenous Energy Australia, Ridge Lawyers, Terri Janke & Company and Winangali.
The department said earlier engagement (Phase 1) included face-to-face workshops with 39 First Nations, across 33 locations, with over 350 participants.
The interim report says the project team will provide its final recommendation to DCCEEW in February 2026, while DCCEEW says a final governance recommendation report will go to the minister in early 2026.
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