Murray Darling Basin Plan

The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) met on 17 July in Sydney ... covered an extensive agenda heading into a busy period of publishing, end of year reporting and the release of the Basin Plan Evaluation and Sustainable Rivers Audit.

In a bid to garner a better understanding of the important role irrigation plays in supporting biodiversity on farm, food producers from Southern Riverina Irrigators (SRI) and the Cohuna and District Landcare group met with MDBA regional engagement officer Sam Campi.

"It matters because, as of December 2022, governments held over 2.5 million megalitres, which is 2,505 gigalitres, of water licences across New South Wales, yet there is no central, transparent record of what has been done with it. There is no way to track trades": Helen Dalton, Member for Murray.

Picture this: you're watching the NSW Treasurer deliver a budget that cuts transport spending by 34 per cent, slashes education infrastructure by 41 per cent, and offers zero additional cost of living relief to struggling families. Meanwhile, sitting in government reservoirs across the state is something that could change everything – 450 gigalitres of surplus water worth a potential $6.3 billion.

Hugh Schuitemaker. Finding beneficial compromises between Riverland water resource users and those in other states will be necessary for the future success of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, according to a top water management figure. Inspector-General Of Water Compliance Troy Grant last week visited the Riverland as part of a tour through South Australia.

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has welcomed the announcement by the Victorian and Federal Governments of new funding for water infrastructure and environmental projects in northern Victoria ... The VFF also welcomed the new feasibility studies, which will enable further assessment of water projects identified in last year’s Victorian water prospectus.

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) says a Ricardo report commissioned by Dairy Australia raises serious concerns over the future of the dairy industry, with water buybacks potentially leading to a further 270 million litre decline in milk production.

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has slammed the Federal Government for paying a staggering premium of $1,000 per megalitre above the seasonal average in its recent purchase of Goulburn water, calling it a reckless move that distorts the market and punishes farmers.

Milk production could plummet by up to 15 per cent in the southern Murray Darling Basin if water buybacks are not halted immediately, a new study has shown. The Dairy Australia report … Australia’s annual milk production could plummet by up to 270 million litres if the federal government pressed on with water buybacks that would strip dairy farms of vital water supplies.