Water

The Murray Regional Strategy Group (MRSG), which represents eight organisations across the NSW Murray, is conducting a monitoring program to clearly communicate the risks and benefits of water delivery through our region ... In order to help stop repeating the meaningless destruction that we have witnessed on the Murray, MRSG has developed the NSW Murray Valley Adaptive Road Map, which aims to deliver solutions to existing problems with water flows and management.

Tweed Shire Council has been recognised as one of three top leaders in global river management at the prestigious 21st Thiess International Riverprize  for its work on the Tweed River ... Council has been working with a broad range of partners for more than 30 years on projects to increase the health of the Tweed River, following a series of devastating fish kills in the late 1980s.

The Southern Queensland Inland and New South Wales Border Regional Water Alliance (SQINB-RWA) has committed to advancing negotiations around planning for the area’s long-term water security ... “Cooperation between the three levels of government will be a key feature of finding solutions and identifying new water sources": Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Paul Antonio.

Robert Onfray. Before I started our travels, I recall hearing and reading stories about the parlous state of the Murray River and its basin. These calls are always louder when there is a drought. On our trip, I have spent a lot of time on the Murray, the Lachlan and Edward Rivers, as well as the Murrumbidgee Irrigation area. We also stopped at Wentworth to observe the mouth of the Darling into the Murray River.

Region 6 of the Murray Darling Association is announcing its annual 2021 Region 6 Stakeholder Symposium, themed “Water Use Efficiency: Benefits that flow.” The Region 6 committee will host councils from across the Murray-Darling Basin and will meet with around 100 water stakeholders at the newly refurbished Bridgeport Hotel in Murray Bridge this October. Delegates will share information on water use efficiencies and discuss opportunities for the future health and prosperity of both the region and the Basin.

Mulloon Institute. Duncan and Kym McMaster, managers of The Scots College’s Bannockburn Campus have been observing improvements yielded by a contour recommended in a farm plan designed by Mulloon Consulting ... When questioned about his thoughts on the contour, Duncan quickly exclaimed “it works!”. Duncan is pleased to see the principles of landscape rehydration implemented on the property.

The NSW Government has launched the NSW Water Strategy, a 20-year blueprint to deliver resilient and sustainable water resources to communities across the state ... The strategy coincides with the launch of the Water Project Map, a new tool for people to access information about all water infrastructure projects across NSW.

Through grant funding provided via the Commonwealth Government's Drought Communities Programme (DCP) Extension new water standpipes have been installed in Eden Valley, Moculta and Mount Pleasant. The standpipes will support those within the council area who do not have access to reticulated water supplies and may have limited access via other sources due to ongoing drought conditions.

Geoff Helisma. After many years of secret negotiations between Clarence Valley Council and Essential Energy, Coffs Harbour City Council and CVC will each hold a 50 per cent share of “the disused Nymboida Hydro Power Scheme and associated water licences” once the deal is settled ... However, it seems that recommissioning the hydro infrastructure to generate electricity is unlikely to proceed.

A flood is coming. The forecast flow downstream of Yarrawonga is estimated to reach 50–60,000 megalitres per day (split between Tuppal and Bullatale Creeks and the Murray River) and the Goulburn has had minor flooding, with flows of 21,000 megalitres a day ... Our food producers now face what is an allocation drought during a flood event.

The Murray-Darling Basin Authority has increased daily releases from Hume Dam to 31GL to manage airspace. The flow rate will keep Murray River levels similar to what they have been in the past few days – a little above channel capacity but well below minor flood level at Albury. The release rate is likely to change in response to changing conditions in the catchment.

Neil J Eagle AO. We now see communities and irrigators questioning why, when dams on the Murrumbidgee and Murray are now pre-releasing or spilling, the allocations remain so low – 30% NSW Murray and 52% Murrumbidgee. The cause dates back to the early 1990s when the anti-irrigation element imbedded in our bureaucracy and, egged on by groups like the ‘Wentworth Group’, began proclaiming our rivers in the Murray-Darling Basin were over-allocated and in dire decline.

The Murray–Darling Basin Authority met on 30 August 2021 by video teleconference. The meeting was chaired by Sir Angus Houston with all members present ... the Authority released the mid-year  report card on the Basin Plan. This is the sixth report card produced by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority and responds to community feedback seeking short and succinct updates on water reform progress.

The frogs are singing and the harvesters ring in the Guttrum Forest. Reed Bed Swamp has been receiving a blessing of water across the forest floor ... Redgum saplings, salinity, midstorey and understorey condition are themes of contention between locals and government agencies ... I wonder what will happen if the Victorian Andrews Government continues with plans to end native forestry. Who will promote forest health and manage density?

Queensland Resources Minister Scott Stewart said the Federal Court will recognise the Warrgamay People’s long-standing rights to more than 185,000 hectares of land and water at a virtual hearing ... the decision covers an area from Lucinda on the coast, up to and along the Seaview Range and into Girringun National Park.

The Mulloon Institute says soil can absorb Australia's annual emissions through carbon sequestration and the answer lies in rehydrating the Australian landscape.