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Murray Darling Basin Authority
River Reflections Conference 2024 – Shaping the future of water management in the Murray–Darling Basin: MDBA
Almost 300 people will converge in Albury next week to discuss the future of water management in the Murray–Darling Basin at the 2024 River Reflections Conference on June 19 and 20. This year’s conference features a diverse range of speakers from government, First Nations and farming communities, with a program aimed at fostering collaboration in water management across the Basin.
Albanese’s Basin Plan sugar hit fails to deliver: VFF
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) says the Albanese Labor Government’s plan to take water from food production in the Murray Darling Basin Plan in exchange for a $300 million sugar hit is yet another slap in the face for regional communities. VFF Water Council Chair Andrew Leahy said the funding package announced by Water Minister Tanya Plibersek will go nowhere close to what will be required to support communities targeted for water buybacks.
Plibersek’s propaganda exposed in $12 million ad campaign
The Albanese Government's legislation change to allow additional water buybacks shocked farming communities that rely on this precious resource ... To add insult to injury, the recent $12 million taxpayer-funded advertising campaign used fake computer-generated images of death and destruction in the basin, along with emotive language that only fuels misunderstanding through the misinformation campaign.
Record $300 million support package for Basin communities: Plibersek
Under the Sustainable Communities Program, states will work directly with Basin communities affected by voluntary water purchase, on investments that create and support local jobs and businesses. Investments may include kickstarting or expanding industries in regional communities which are less water dependent, new community infrastructure projects, workforce development and community support services.
Expressions of interest open for the Murray–Darling Basin Community Committee: MDBA
The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) is seeking expressions of interest from individuals to serve as members of the Basin Community Committee (BCC). Established under the Water Act 2007, the BCC plays a vital role in advising the MDBA and the Murray–Darling Basin Ministerial Council on issues relating to water management in one of Australia’s largest river systems.
Responding to the Basin Leadership Summit: MDBA
Sir Angus Houston. Following the 2-day Basin Leadership Summit in Sydney on 16 to 17 April the Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) has released a report summarising discussions of approximately 100 participants with diverse views on the environmental, cultural, economic, and social outcomes for the Basin. The Summit assembled more than 2,400 years of collective experience in Basin water management to gather diverse perspectives to inform preparations for the 2026 Basin Plan Review.
Barmah Choke trade opportunity for new irrigation year: MDBA
The Barmah Choke water trade balance to start the 2024–25 water year will deliver trade opportunity for irrigators. The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) Acting Executive Director of River Management Angus Paton said approximately 56 gigalitres (GL) of water would be available to trade downstream of the Barmah Choke on 1 July 2024.  “This projected figure is 4 GL less than the 60 GL made available for the 2023–24 season…
A positive future for the Murray Darling Basin Plan: Shing
The prospectus has been developed following extensive and meaningful engagement by, with, and for Victoria’s Basin communities. It details the next steps Victoria will take following the Commonwealth Government’s decision to buy back up to 450 GL of additional water. Â
Lowering water levels in Lake Mulwala to enable essential maintenance: MDBA, GMW
From Monday 13 May the Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) will commence releases from Lake Mulwala to lower the water levels by approximately 1.5 metres ahead of necessary maintenance and inspection work in June. MDBA Acting Executive Director of River Management Angus Paton said releases would be managed to meet demands downstream of the Lake while also achieving the target water level of 123.3 metres AHD by 17 June 2024.
MIL vote outcome
The proposed resolutions to remove the two current MIL non-member directors, Trisha Gorman and Robert Burbury, from the Murray Irrigation Board failed to garner the necessary votes last week ... The infighting at the board level has seen division spill over into the community, with the company, certain directors and influential farmers taking a leaf out of the MDBA book and hosting closed-door meetings for invite-only attendees.
