The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) will hold its fifth annual water conference on 29 and 30 July in Murray Bridge, regional South Australia.
MDBA Chief Executive Andrew McConville said it was the first time River Reflections would be held in this part of the southern Basin where community interests and water management challenges differed from those further upstream.
“The Basin spans over one million square kilometres from the Great Dividing Range in Queensland, through New South Wales, Victoria and the ACT, to the Murray Mouth in South Australia,” said McConville.
“You can appreciate how diverse the landscape is from one end to the other and how varied the needs and interests of people living in the Basin can be.
“The Basin Plan provides the foundation to collaborate across borders, governments and cultures, using science and lived experience, to manage water for the environment and secure water for towns, industry, agriculture and recreation.
“More than a decade on, we’ve learnt a lot from implementing the Basin Plan and from listening to communities.
“In early July, we will release the Basin Plan Evaluation, which will tell us what’s working, what’s not and where improvement is needed.
“It is another vital input to inform the Basin Plan Review and one of the topics we’ll take time to explore during the conference.”
Murray Bridge Council Mayor Wayne Thorley welcomed people from all over to attend the conference, stay, and experience the region.
“The Murray River is the lifeblood of our region, and we are proud to host this important conference at Murray Bridge,” Mayor Thorley said.
“Sustainability is at the heart of our community’s future—we rely on a healthy river to support our environment, agriculture, tourism and way of life. This conference is a valuable opportunity to share knowledge, strengthen partnerships and explore innovative approaches to water management that will protect our waterways for future generations.
“I encourage visitors to take the time to experience the natural beauty of the Lower Murray and see firsthand how our community is working towards a sustainable future,” said Mayor Thorley.
River Reflections has been held annually in different parts of the Basin since 2021. Its purpose is to bring together diverse perspectives and experiences to find common ground for the future of our rivers.
Participants are invited to contribute to the MDBA’s collective purpose of Rivers for generations through interactive workshops, speakers and a conference dinner.
Visit our website to keep updated with program information and ticket sales.
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