Murray-Darling Basin Authority

🎄 ✨ Season’s greetings from all of us at the MDBA. We are grateful for the collective efforts contributing to the health and sustainability of the Murray–Darling Basin. As we get ready to welcome in the new year, we’re looking back on some big moments from 2024. ✔️Released the Early Insights Paper for the 2026 #BasinPlanReview, paving the way to tackle some of the Basin’s most complex challenges. ✔️Completed the Hydrometric Networks and Remote Sensing program. It delivered a robust network for hydrometric stations. ✔️The north-south connectivity trial in the Darling Baaka delivered positive outcomes, including improved water quality. This was possible thanks to collaboration with agencies and the local community. ✔️Sixteen of the 20 Water Recourse Plans for NSW are now accredited, with the remaining four in New South Wales still being finalised before submission. This will help establish clear rules for water management, ensuring sustainable use and supporting healthy rivers and communities across the Basin. ✔️We hosted the Murray–Darlin Water and Environmental Research Program (MD-WERP) Symposium in June, bringing together experts to discuss topics like climate adaptation, hydrology and environmental outcomes. 🥾💧 At the same time, our Chief Executive Andrew McConville toured much of the Northern Basin, joined by local community members, First Nations representatives, MDBA staff and water experts from across governments. Visiting the Namoi Gwydir, Barwon Darling, Lower Darling, Macquarie, and Condamine Balonne catchments. In the southern Basin he visited all 13 catchments, with several visits to Menindee in the Lower Darling catchment. We also hosted 15 individual forums and connected with locals, governments and First Nations peoples across the Basin. We held our regional water conference in #Albury, updating communities on the release of the Early Insights Paper and heard from experts in their field. Focusing on true connectivity, beyond just infrastructure, we built strong connections with Basin communities. With progress made, there’s still much to do. It’s been busy, but we couldn’t be prouder of what’s been achieved. Here's to continuing our work for the Basin, its communities, and the generations to come. 💙 #MurrayDarlingBasin #Riverforgenerations

☀️ In #Mildura's scorching heat, we welcome students, Destinee and Emily, from the University of Melbourne. They will spend the summer in #Sunraysia as interns through the Invergowrie Foundation summer intern program. It's great to be part of this program once again, providing opportunities for the next generation and supporting women in STEM. Funded by the Invergowrie Foundation and supported by the Mallee Regional Innovation Centre, we're excited to be a host with Lower Murray Water We can't wait to see what you get up to. Enjoy your time in the region! Read more in this great article: https://lnkd.in/gTC_iNuM #Internship #CivilEngineering #WomeninScience #WaterManagement

❔ What progress has been made on the preparation for the Basin Plan Review? Our Chief Executive, Andrew McConville shares some of the progress we've made to build better relationships with First Nations people and explains where we are at with our approach to considering a changing climate. Over the past 6 months we’ve continued to gather evidence and work with stakeholders around the Basin as we prepare for the next important milestone on our roadmap – the Basin Plan Evaluation in mid-2025. To read more about this work and what we have heard check out our latest 6-monthly update: 📰 News update: https://lnkd.in/gbf5rsS4 📊 Progress Report: https://lnkd.in/gCFcFn6w #BasinPlanReview #climatechange #sustainablewaterlimits #FirstNations #regulatorydesign

💙We have delivered our Constraints Relaxation Implementation Roadmap to #AusGov and community is at it's core. 📝 Read media release: https://ow.ly/CwkT50Ut0g6 🗺️ See roadmap: https://ow.ly/pwJf50Ut0g7 The Roadmap delivers on a commitment under the Water Amendment (Restoring Our Rivers) Act 2023 and marks a significant milestone in the work to ensure a healthier future for the Murray–Darling Basin. It guides governments in delivering projects that will help to get the most out of our environmental water across the Basin. The roadmap includes a number of findings and practical steps for governments to consider, both up to 2026 when current funding ends, and in preparing for any decision on implementation over the longer term. Ultimately, success in achieving healthy rivers depends on the ongoing commitment of governments and their partnership with the people who live in the #MurrayDarlingBasin communities. Addressing constraints requires the states to work closely with landowners, First Nations peoples, and local communities.  The Roadmap was developed in close consultation with the New South Wales, Victorian, and South Australian governments as well as the Commonwealth. It was developed in response to diverse stakeholder perspectives and community aspirations for a successful program.

Big strides are happening in river modelling at the MDBA. We’re now in the third year of the Integrated River Modelling Uplift (IRMU) program, which is improving how we understand and manage water across the Murray–Darling Basin. ✅ Last year we established a cloud-based hub that allows all Basin jurisdictions to securely store, share, and access river models - linking models across state and territory borders in real time ✅This year we have developed the Framework for Integrated River Modelling (FIRM) tool. It links different river models across the Basin, providing a unified view of how water moves. This means we can now better understand the connections between catchments, simulate water scenarios more effectively, and support informed decisions across state and territory borders. 🔄Now we’re focusing on operationalising the FIRM tool. This involves turning complex data into practical insights that inform water management decisions, benefiting communities, industries, and the environment. 👀🔗Learn more about how IRMU is transforming water management across the Basin - https://ow.ly/XJPb50UrvMw

Our Annual Operating Outlook has been updated with the latest information. It explores 6 scenarios, from ‘very wet’ to ‘very dry’. Developed with input from state and federal governments, it helps us prepare for risks and opportunities while adapting to real time conditions and forecasts. This AOO update shows that we are well-prepared for peak summer demand, thanks to early bulk water transfers and efficient storage operations during spring. Read more: 📝 Media release: https://ow.ly/9tgN50UpwFr 📊 2024–25 Outlook: https://ow.ly/2fcl50UpwFp

A little over 4 years ago, our organisation made a significant announcement… We welcomed Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston AK, AFC (Ret’d) as the Authority Chair. Bringing a wealth of experience, having served the nation in several leadership roles, Sir Angus was well placed to lead our agency for the next stage of implementation. From the outset, his strong intention was to listen, learn and build relationships. Over time, people felt their voices were being heard and their trust was gained. Yesterday, Sir Angus announced his retirement from the MDBA and will step down from the position of Authority Chair 22 December 2024. We thank Sir Angus for his exceptional leadership, vision, and wisdom over his tenure. His leadership sought to improve water management. It aimed to tackle drought and unite people for the shared goal of Rivers, for generations. He has achieved much during his term, to mention a few. - The accreditation of water resource plans. - Unveiling the roadmap and key focus topics for the Basin Plan Review 2026. - Honouring Indigenous peoples’ connections to the Basin and cultural flows. Sir Angus developed ties and collaborated with many stakeholders. Including farmers, governments, First Nations, and environmental groups. His gentle voice made everybody take a step closer together and lean in. Starting the role off the back of drought and then seeing the 2022-23 floods, Sir Angus has travelled to communities across the Basin. He has seen it all. We wish you all the best in the years ahead. To read reflections from Sir Angus. see his media statement: 📝 https://lnkd.in/g9gQUaDF #Thankyou #Leadership #Retirement #riversforgenerations

Yesterday, Matt Coleman, General Manager Science Acquisition spoke at the Australian Freshwater Sciences Society in #Albury. The conference brought together experts to share the latest in freshwater science, research, and policy. It was a great opportunity for our team to show how the #MDBA is using science to guide decisions for the Basin. Matt gave some insights into the 2026 Basin Plan Review, highlighting the importance of bringing voices together for a stronger future for the Basin. 💧 It was great to come together to share perspectives, listen and learn. #MDBasin #Freshwater #riversforgenerations #BasinPlanReview

Another busy week for our CEO, Andrew McConville who visited the top of the Northern Basin. 📍 Travelling to #Roma > #Mitchell > #StGeorge > #Dirranbandi > #Mungindi > #Moree It's great to be on the ground (and on the water) to listen to and understand local concerns. The group included Authority member Roseanne Healy, MDBA staff, and staff of the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder. We met with local council, First Nations, irrigators, and cotton growers. 'Thanks' to everyone who gave up their time to meet with us. Having open discussions, helps us to truly understand the different perspectives and provide information and support where we can. These trips also let us share some successes from water recovery. It's having a positive impact on the environment. 💭 And what does Andrew think? "There's more that unites us than divides us." #MDBAoutandabout #sharingknowledge #localknowledge #connectiontocountry #wholeconnectedbasin #riversforgenerations

We want to thank Susan Madden for her enduring commitment to the health and resilience of the Basin and its communities as her term on the Murray−Darling Basin Authority board comes to close. Over the last eight years, Susan has made an outstanding contribution to the work of the Authority. Her background in agricultural economics and natural resource policy have been an asset in helping to address Basin challenges with a balanced approach that considers environmental health, community vitality, and agricultural needs. Susan also served as the Authority member on the Basin Community Committee (BCC), providing a valued connection between the Authority and the communities it serves. Being courageous and brining energy are core values at the MDBA and we recognise these in Susan as she brought the aspirations and needs of communities to the table. ✨ We wish you every success in your future endeavours. Further advice on appointments to the BCC and the Authority Board will be made in the coming months. #riversforgnerations