The Murray Darling Basin Authority has released the findings from its widespread consultation on the new plan’s implementation.
The ‘What We Heard’ report brought together 2,500 submissions from Basin stakeholders, with almost 3,000 participants involved in official discussions, in the hopes of further developing the Murray Darling Basin Plan.
Clear priorities were identified, including getting the most out of environmental water, improving water quality and critical human water supplies, doing more to support native fish, and managing land and water together.
The submissions also identified clear differences in how the plan should work, especially around future water recovery, how to deal with climate risks, and how to balance environmental needs with farming and community wellbeing.
MDBA Chief Executive Andrew McConville said the report is an important document.
“Across thousands of submissions and conversations, people told us how much the Basin matters to them, their livelihoods, their communities and the health of the rivers they depend on,” Mr McConville said.
“This report is a reflection of what we heard, in people’s own words and highlights the issues they believe are most important for the future.”
“Their views provide first-hand insights into how water management – and water challenges – are experienced in Basin communities. Those perspectives are central to our work on the Review as we consider our recommendations for Basin governments.”
The Review Report will include a series of recommendations to governments on how to improve Basin water management over the next decade.
