Murray Darling Association Inc

15/05/2026

Working towards our Basin's future!

With submissions closed for the Basin Plan Review, the Murray-Darling Basin Authority has received OVER 2,400 submissions from Councils, Businesses, Stakeholder groups, community groups, and individuals concerned about what the future will hold for the Murray-Darling Basin and its communities.

Many submissions went beyond formal responses, sharing personal stories, lived experiences and practical ideas for the future, contributions that will play a critical role in shaping the future of the Basin Plan.

As the focus of the Basin Authority shifts towards analysing this critical feedback, the Murray Darling Association continues to ensure that the voices of Basin communities are heard at a state, and federal level, and that the future of the Basin Plan reflects a socio-economic-environmental balance.

Read more here: https://www.mdba.gov.au/news-and-events/newsroom/consultation-closes-next-phase-begins-basin-plan-review =b9e9c290-e2d7-4985-bdf2-20ad94cc0300&msdynmkt_prefill=mktprf76815eb50d0e43f2bef1f9fd922a3ccaeoprf

View MDBA CEO's update here: https://public-oce.mkt.dynamics.com/api/orgs/18c6513d-1927-4d09-8c8e-8974068ea7ab/r/kMLpudfihUm98iCtlMwDAAcAAAA?msdynmkt_target=%7B%22TargetUrl%22%3A%22https%253A%252F%252Fwww.mdba.gov.au%252Fnews-and-events%252Fnewsroom%252Fchief-executive-update-may-2026%22%2C%22RedirectOptions%22%3A%7B%226%22%3A%22mktprf76815eb50d0e43f2bef1f9fd922a3ccaeoprf%22%2C%221%22%3Anull%7D%7D&msdynmkt_digest=NjawvHPixZPaD3QctF%2FVxMTyC2rzgc1otzCf%2BN4%2BLqY%3D&msdynmkt_secretVersion=6d23f24cdfa04f32aeb95f73474cb587

Basin Plan Review Newsletter From on the ground conversations in more than 90 communities to around 2,500 submissions, Basin communities have had their say on the future of the Basin Plan and water management. Their feedback is now helping shape the 2026 Basin Plan Review. After 12 weeks of extensiv...

11/05/2026

Its your future! Have a say on the Basin's future, 24 AUG - 27 AUG 2026

Join water policy leaders, scientists, communities and governments from across the Murray-Darling Basin in Shepparton VIC For the Murray Darling Association's National Conference!

Discuss hot topics including:
- The Basin Plan Review: Where to from here?
- Water Security: long-term strategies for climate resilient communities
- Water Quality: On-the-ground solutions for healthier Basin waterways

REGISTER NOW: www.mda.asn.au/events/2026natcon

07/05/2026

MDA National President, Cr Shari Blumer, spoke on water purchasing, noting that water buybacks had decimated economic productivity in their hometown of Griffith, and the wider Riverina Region.

"When water buybacks first happened in 2012, Griffith lost $200m of gross regional product, which was about 15% of our activity" she said. "Such intervention destroys agricultural industry and makes water significantly more expensive."

Ms Blumer said Australia’s agricultural sector was facing an existential crisis.

Water buybacks initiated under the Plan had driven up the cost of water, leaving those still on the land pushed to breaking point economically, she said.

Read the full article here:
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/wagga/regional-leaders-warn-murray-darling-basin-plan-threatens-to-erase-farming-communities/news-story/c710cea022f06b34fd3b667c102469cb

06/05/2026

The Murray Darling Association invites you to join us and your peers in Shepparton for the 82nd National Conference!

"Local Government as partners, not stakeholders."

With the Basin Plan Review in full swing, the MDA will take bring a strong focus on the opportunities and solutions raised in the 700+ submissions raised to Government and Authority on how to improve the Murray-Darling Basin Plan to ensure the underlying socio-economic-environmental balance.

Ticketing is now open!

The National Conference is an incredible opportunity for our local leaders to come together from across the Murray-Darling Basin to be part of the solution – to join the conversation, to inform future policy, and to engage with leading innovators, scientists, educators, and leaders of our time.

The conference will feature keynote speakers and panel sessions including industry heads, State and Federal Government Ministers and representatives, as well as scientists and educators presenting on topical issues that affect the Murray-Darling Basin water resources and communities!

Would you like to know more? Register now!
www.mda.asn.au/events/2026natcon

30/04/2026

"Carp is not a local issue - its one of the most pervasive, Basin-wide environmental threats we face." - Cr Chris Roylance, MDA Region 10 Chair.

Today the MDA had the opportunity to speak at the Murray-Darling Carp Action Summit on the importance of managing the European Carp in the Basin’s waterways, and the important role that Local Government has to play in ensuring that a coordinated on-the-ground approach is successfully implemented.

"The Carp Virus hasa role, but it is not a silver bullet."

Discussing Carp management, Cr Roylance raised complimentary, practical, and readily available methods of Carp management beyond the use of the Cyprinid herpesvirus-3 (Carp Herpesvirus).

"The question is not can it be done? It's why are we not doing it already?"

Would you like to know more?

Reach out to the Murray Darling Association:
www.mda.asn.au

Get in touch with your Region Chair:
www.mda.asn.au/the-board

21/04/2026

MDA Basin Bulleting: Issue 76

https://mailchi.mp/486793743389/basin-bulletin-issue-14191470

20/04/2026

KEEP AN EYE OUT!

MDA National President, Cr Shari Blumer to speak at the Inland growth Summit 22 - 23 APR 26.

Shari will bring a focus on community participation in policy decision-making, better coordination between government tiers, and holistic management of water in the Basin!

At the core of the National President's engagement is for Local Government to be considered partners, not stakeholders in the matters of water management in the Basin, and the need to embed socio-economic considerations and integrated catchment management principles into water policy formation!

Working together for our Basin's future!

17/04/2026

This week, The MDA met with Basin authorities, the Federal Minister for Environment and Water, Hon Murray Watt, Association members and government representatives to discuss the Basin's water security in Shepparton, Echuca, and Albury!

Water security is critical for the Basin's communities, and the MDA is working with its members and key stakeholders to ensure the priorities and concerns of the Basin's communities are taken into account.

the Murray-Darling Basin Authority is encouraging you to have your say on the Murray-Darling Basin Plan review. Your voice matters!

Communities working together for our Basin's future!

Submissions close 5:00PM 1 May 2026: https://getinvolved.mdba.gov.au/2026basinplanreview

01/03/2026

The representation of all Basin communities, and advocacy at a national level, is particularly important during what is being considered by many as the most pivotal time in the Basin’s history, with the Murray-Darling Basin Plan review underway, and the Basin Plan 2.0 around the corner.

The Murray Darling Association is organising meetings with MDA Regions and MDBA representatives and Regional Engagement Officers to discuss, and prepare for, the Basin Plan Review.

Would you like to know more?

Reach out to your Regional Chair! www.mda.asn.au/the-board
or go to: www.mda.asn.au

26/02/2026

The Murray-Darling Basin Authority has set in motion a 12-week submission period to influence the future of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan (5 Feb - 1 May 2026).

The MDBA's Discussion Paper sets out the issues to be explored through the 2026 Basin Plan Review., inviting feedback to help shape the Review Report recommendations.

In response to the release of the Discussion Paper, the Murray Darling Association is engaging with Local Government, Industry, and Basin Stakeholder groups to present a united voice on the Basin’s issues, opportunities, and the future of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.

The Murray Darling Association is organising meetings with MDA Regions and MDBA representatives and Regional Engagmeent Officers to discuss, and prepare for, the Basin Plan Review.

Would you like to know more? Reach out to your Regional Chair! www.mda.asn.au/the-board

The representation of all Basin communities, and advocacy at a national level, is particularly important during what is being considered by many as the most pivotal time in the Basin’s history, with the Murray-Darling Basin Plan review underway, and the Basin Plan 2.0 around the corner.

This feedback will assist the Authority in making recommendations on how the Basin Plan and Basin water management can be improved.

Have a say about the Basin's future: https://www.mdba.gov.au/publications-and-data/publications/2026-basin-plan-review-discussion-paper

To find out more about the Murray Darling Association, go to www.mda.asn.au or follow us on social media.