Water policymakers tour the region as Basin Review draws to a close

Bourke Tribal Council Chairman Phillip Sullicvan and Barwon-Darling Water Chairman Joe Robinson meeting with MDBA members. Photo: Ian Cole

Stoy by Tricia Duffieldand Rod Corfe

If it’s not a famine, it’s a flood, as the old saying goes and this week there was a flood of input from some of the most powerful policy makers in water management, meeting with members of the river communities across the northern region.

As well as two state government-hosted fish passage community meetings in Louth and Tilpa on Tuesday, there was also an unrelated tour by board members of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, accompanied by the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder, Dr Simon Banks.

Chief Executive of the MDBA Andrew McConville said the tour was an opportunity for the board to meet with communities before finalising the review of the Murray Darling Basin plan.

The tour began in Brewarrina on Monday, followed by Bourke, Louth, Tilpa, Wilcannia and into Menindee.

“The issues of the Darling are high on everyone’s minds, so getting out and seeing firsthand how the system is working, talking to communities, seeing some farming operations and talking to local councils is a really important part as the authority starts to finalise its thinking around the Basin Plan Review,” Mr McConville said.[…]

Read more local news in the printed edition of The Western Herald. To subscribe call (02) 6872 2333 today and receive The Western Herald in your letterbox next week or purchase and download a digital edition https://www.outbackradio.com.au/shop/