River Murray Commission
1917 – 1988
Intergovernmental commission of the Commonwealth, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia that built and operated the storages, locks and weirs of the River Murray and administered the sharing of its waters among the three states.
How it came into existence
Constituted in 1917 under the River Murray Waters Agreement of 1914 between the Commonwealth, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, ratified by the River Murray Waters Act 1915 (Cth) and complementary state Acts. Each government appointed a commissioner, with the Commonwealth commissioner presiding.
Legislation: River Murray Waters Act 1915 and complementary state Acts
Changes during its life
- 1982An amended River Murray Waters Agreement broadened the commission's powers to include water quality, notably salinity.
How it ended
Replaced in 1988 by the Murray-Darling Basin Commission under the Murray-Darling Basin Agreement 1987, which took over its works and water-sharing role with a basin-wide remit.
- River Murray works and operations
- Sharing of River Murray waters
- Water quality management
Main functions
- Construction and operation of Hume Reservoir, Lake Victoria and the Murray locks and weirs
- Murray Mouth barrages and Dartmouth Reservoir
- Sharing of River Murray waters between New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia
- River gauging and flow regulation
- Water quality and salinity management (from 1982)
Where it sits
Last in the portfolio of Department of Primary Industries and Energy.
Lineage
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Sources
Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.