Two decades of cooperation, restoration, and protection of the river system.
Murray–Darling Basin Authority, Media Release, 12 December 2023
Basin states and the Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) are jointly celebrating 20 years since the historic ‘first step’ decision to establish The Living Murray program.
A forerunner of the 2012 Basin Plan, The Living Murray (TLM) program was initiated in response to compelling evidence of severe and long-term decline in the health of the Murray River system.
MDBA Chief Executive Andrew McConville said the program had forged an enduring partnership between the Australian Government and Basin state governments to restore and protect the river system.
“The Living Murray is about sharing responsibility to restore and sustain the vital natural assets along the river system, harnessing community, farming, industry, and government goodwill to do the right thing, which is in all our interests,” Mr McConville said.
“Over the life of the program, the health of special River Murray icon sites has improved through the addition of infrastructure, land and river management practices and the delivery of water for the environment.
“20 years ago, all icon sites were under stress rated in ‘fair ecological condition’ or ‘need of attention’. Now, most sites are in ‘good’ or ‘excellent condition’ which goes to show that where there is a plan and sustained commitment we can make a difference and deliver rivers for generations.”
The New South Wales Department of Planning and Environment’s Deputy Secretary – Water, Amanda Jones, said TLM demonstrates the tangible environmental outcomes that can be achieved when state governments and the Australian Government work closely together.
“This program would not be the success it is without the Indigenous Partnership and the role played by Traditional Owners to drive program priorities, undertake monitoring, cultural heritage and land management works on country,” Ms Jones said.
Victoria Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action Acting Deputy Secretary Water and Catchments Andrew Fennessy said in Victoria, environmental works were constructed at several sites funded by the Living Murray program, including Hattah Lakes and Gunbower Forest.
“This enabled about 12,000 ha of high value floodplains to be watered with exactly the required flow patterns, even during droughts,” Mr Fennessy said.
“Victoria continues to look to protect our floodplains and wetlands through new projects such as the Victorian Murray Floodplain Restoration Project.”
South Australia Department for Environment and Water Acting Director, Water Infrastructure and Operations Lisa Stribley said investment in The Living Murray has resulted in significant ecological improvements at the program’s icon sites in South Australia.
“The 20 years of continuous robust data collection both provides testament to the changing ecological conditions at the icon sites and highlights the positive outcomes of increased water delivery to these sites”, Ms Stribley said.
The Living Murray program sits inside the larger water reform journey under the Basin Plan to support healthy rivers and communities up and down the Murray–Darling system.
