Barmah Choke

No action has been taken to address the explosion of erosion through hundreds of kilometres of Australia’s most iconic river, the Murray. The erosion is consuming red gum forests, one of which is RAMSAR listed, as well as compromising bank integrity, with floods looming. Private infrastructure is also being impacted with pump sheds, fences, lawns and watering systems all falling prey to hydraulic land clearing.

The Barmah Millewa Choke is in the MDBA’s sights as the pesky sand slug slithered its way out of the pages of gold mining history, to now find itself lodged fairly and squarely in the road of supplying the mounting downstream demands for the precious water stored in Hume and Dartmouth. According to the MDBA, this particular sand slug must not be confused with the Cobram beach sand slug.

Delegates at the River reflections annual water conference today heard about the impacts of the massive sand slug in the Barmah-Millewa reach of the Murray River and the consequences to water users, the environment and local community if no action is taken to address it.

Geoff Wakeman is not against the principles of environmental watering. He does, however, have a huge problem with the way it is being used in the Gunbower Forest/National Park, particularly around Cohuna ... As a geologist, his interest was piqued when he came across some commentary surrounding the Barmah Choke, which prompted him to take a closer look at what was happening out in the Gunbower Forest. It was then he became alarmed.

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.