The What we heard report by the Murray Darling Basin Authority went live at the end of June and I’ve spent a little bit of time digesting it’s 140 pages. While the report is a long read, it’s definitely worth taking the time to flick through the pages and hear the voices of people from communities throughout the river system. The basin authority have done a great job of collaiting the feedback into several themess, introducing each theme as it’s own section and preceeding the commentary with a synopsis of what was found.

This report comes off the back of the MDBA regions tour that called in at Blayney, Orange, Canowindra and Cowra back in February.

MDBA Facts.

• The Murray Darling Basin plan was introduced 14 years ago, triggered by millennium drought (2001-2010)
• The plan is a political compact between 6 basin governments and currently accounts for $11 billion in commonwealth environmental water portfolio.
• The report covers what was learned during a 12 week consultation period around the basin.
• 2500 submissions were received.
• The team travelled to 59 towns running 322 engagement sessions.

What did the review ask?

• The issues and options presented

• Other issues and option that should be considered

• What the priorities should be, and why.

Feedback and soundbites that caught my attention from a Mid Lachlan Landcare perspective:

“There was broad agreement that land and water management needs to be better integrated, particularly in the context of maximising benefits of water for the environment. Land use, pest and weed control, riparian habitat, water quality, river operations and floodplain connectivity are interconnected parts of catchment condition. First Nations people and groups, natural resource management and landcare groups, landholders and industry organisations, all pointed to the opportunities to do things better, many noting that a considerable number of wetlands are on private land and require a partner approach”. Reflecting on Land and water management MDBA

‘ The revised Basin Plan must treat deep uncertainty as a permanent condition of governance, not a temporary data gap. The Discussion Paper’s implicit assumption that better modelling will resolve the adaptation deficit is not supported by two decades of Basin governance evidence, is inconsistent with best available science, and fails to meet the Water Act’s requirements for climate risk management.’ ANU Institute for Water Futures

‘ Environmental objectives must be evidence-based, achievable, and adapted to the climate conditions the Basin now faces, rather than based on assumptions that may no longer be realistic.’ Steph Cooke MP, NSW Shadow Minister for Water

‘ Many native fish species migrate long distances across multiple catchments during spawning events. However, the Basin contains an estimated 10,000 barriers to fish movement, including dams, weirs and regulators. Restoring connectivity through fish ladders, fishways and removal of redundant barriers will significantly improve migration success and recruitment of native fish populations. Fish and other aquatic biota are extremely important to YEAC and all Aboriginal First Nation Peoples!’ Yuwaalaraay Euahlayi Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC

Talking to quality not just quantity of water flowing through. 

‘ Between December 2018 and January 2019, three huge and catastrophic deaths of fish occurred in the Lower Darling ostensibly by the drought, low oxygen levels in the water and algal blooms. What was not included in the possible causes is the heavy and constant use of synthetic fertilisers in the growing of cotton. These “nutrients” are the key driver for cyanobacterial (blue-green algae) to flourish, in hundreds of locations including creeks, lakes – and dams.’ Pennie Scott  

‘ Carp control/suppression/reduction is a major issue, particularly for riverine communities (ie: as opposed to policy-making communities). Though very difficult, this must be tackled at some stage, because otherwise landowners and river people will remain disengaged and discouraged.’ Dr Adam Kereszy

‘ The GBCMA’s [Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority’s] decades of integrated catchment management show that investing in complementary actions, alongside delivering environmental water, is also critical in achieving lasting environmental outcomes. A focus on salinity, nutrient management, habitat restoration and biodiversity in connected systems, directly shapes water quality and ecological health.’ Jeff Odgers

Some of our current projects that are aligned to the sentiment above.

• Salinity mapping, monitoring & mitigation with other Landcare groups across the region, supported by NSW Government’s Department for Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
• Growing the Grazing Revolution focusing on grazing and farm management practices that improve soil and water quality both on and off-farm. Part funded in 2026 by Landcare NSW’s Landcare Enabling Program.
• Carp Muster in partnership with Oz Fish, Canowindra Connections and local councils.

Do let us know if the report raises anything for you that you feel our team could help with.