However, since that announcement in March, it appears little progress has been made.

At the time, the then NSW Minister for Regional Water Niall Blair said he expected there to be very little teething problems when it came to moving the jobs to the MIA, which would allow staff to be right in the heart of irrigation country where they could get to know the people and the issues.

Leeton Shire Council mayor Paul Maytom recently met with the MDBA and Murray-Darling Association board members and reported there was still a long way to go when it comes to those positions coming to the area.

"I met with acting MDBA chief executive Carl Binning (recently) in Canberra and asked will the employees agree to move?" he said.

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"His answer was possibly one position might shift to Griffith towards the end of the year or into the new year (but) they were still negotiating with the staff.

"There is a long way to go." During the meeting, councillor Maytom said he also questioned the water market and prices, as well as his concerns about a deregulated water market.

"I spoke about my concerns with a deregulated water market and water going to the high value crops and the impact it is having on the diversity of irrigation agriculture. I spoke about job losses at Deniliquin and Leeton Rice mills.

"A farmer can switch crops, but workers can't necessarily switch jobs."

It comes as the MDBA released its mid-year report on Monday morning.

The report said "sustained effort" by basin governments was needed get the plan fully on track this year.

MDBA chief executive officer Phillip Glyde said while some work had progressed over the past six months, concerted action in the second half of the year was needed.

"Good progress is being made in ... water recovery, managing compliance with the rules of water use and the delivery of water for the environment," he said.

"On the other hand, the adjustment to the sustainable diversion limit is at risk, finalisation of some water resource plans has been extended because of delays and more work is required to implement initiatives in the Northern Basin.

"The unprecedented drought has curbed the delivery of water for the environment this year, which means government commitments to fully implement initiatives that protect low flows and environmental water are more important than ever."

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