Since taking on the role in August 2020 Sir Angus has completed several listening and learning tours across much of the Basin, while complying with COVID-19 conditions.
Tour 14: Goulburn Murray Irrigation District and Mid Murray listening tour
14 to 17 November 2023
Goulburn | Mitiamo | Echuca | Barmah | Riverina
Sir Angus Houston explored the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District and Mid Murray for his 14th and final listening tour of the Murray–Darling Basin in 2023. The tour included representatives from the Murray–Darling Basin Authority and partner Australian,Victorian and New South Wales Government agencies. It provided Sir Angus with the chance to hear first-hand from communities about what matters to them in water management.
The tour included visits to the Goulburn Weir, Gigarre, Bamawn, Mitiamo Pipeline, Kagome Australia, Loch Garry, Barmah–Millewa Forest, Bullatale Creek, Deniliquin, Edward River and Wakool
During the tour Sir Angus spoke to a range of people and groups including the Taungurung Land and Waters Council, Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, Victorian Environmental Water Holder, GMID Water Leadership Group, Goulburn Valley Landcare Network, Victoria Constraints Committee, Goulburn–Murray Water, North Central Catchment Management Authority, Gardiner Dairy Foundation, Campaspe Council, Gannawarra Shire Council, Swan Hill Rural City Council, Loddon Shire Council, Greater Shepparton City Council, Murray River Group of Councils, Murray Regional Strategy Group, Murray Dairy, Yanco Creek and Tributaries Advisory Council, Yorta Yorta, National Farmers' Federation, Ricegrowers Association of Australia, Murray Irrigation, Murray River Council, Shepparton Preserving Company, Fruit Growers Victoria, SunRice, Riverina and Murray Joint Organisation, and NSW Environment and Heritage.
Tour 13: Riverland to Swan Hill listening tour
3 to 6 October 2023
Swan Reach | Katarapko | Renmark | Pike River | Swan Hill
Sir Angus Houston headed to the heart of the Riverland in South Australia for the start of his 13th listening tour of the Murray–Darling Basin. He then travelled through the Mallee to Swan Hill to conclude his visits. The tour included representatives from the Murray–Darling Basin Authority and partner Australian and South Australian Government agencies. It provided Sir Angus with the chance to hear first-hand from communities about what matters to them in water management.
The tour included visits to Swan Reach/Sugar Shack Wetlands, Katarapko environmental site, Renmark, Paringa, Pike River, Lyrup, Loxton, Pinnaroo/Ouyen Lake, Wood Wood, Swan Hill, Lake Boga and Kerang.
During the tour Sir Angus spoke to a range of people and groups including the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board, Mannum Aboriginal Community Association, SA Department of Environment and Water, River Murray Trails, River Murray Mallee Aboriginal Corp, Lloyd & Sons, Mallee Catchment Management Authority, Mildura Rural City Council, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action DEECA and Lake Boga and District Landcare.
Tour 12: Barwon-Darling listening tour
1 to 5 May 2023
Collarenebri | Walgett | Narran Lakes | Brewarrina | Bourke | Toorale
Sir Angus Houston ventured to northern New South Wales to kick off the 4-day Barwon–Darling listening tour. The tour included representatives from the Murray–Darling Basin Authority and partner Australian and New South Wales Government agencies. It provided Sir Angus with the chance to hear first-hand from communities about what matters to them in water management.
The tour included visits to Colly Weir, Bore Baths, Namoi River, Narran Lakes, Brewarrina Fish Traps, Toorale Weir, and Bourke Weir.
During the tour Sir Angus spoke to a range of people and groups including the Walgett Shire Council, Brewarrina Shire Council, Bourke Shire Council, Darling Farms and the New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage.
Tour 11: Southern Queensland listening tour
21 to 23 March 2023
Boggabilla | Inglewood | Texas | Stanthorpe | Warwick/Upper Condamine | Toowoomba
MDBA Chief Executive Andrew McConville led this listening tour to southern Queensland. The tour included representatives from the Murray–Darling Basin Authority and partner Australian and Queensland Government agencies. It provided Andrew with the chance to hear first-hand from communities about what matters to them in water management.
The tour included visits to Morella, Inglewood, Yelarbon, Texas, Bonshaw Weir, Girraween, Whyalla, Mingoola, Stanthorpe, Warwick, Yargullen, Condamine Plains, Toowoomba.
During the tour Andrew spoke to a range of people and groups including the Queensland Murray-Darling Catchments River Rangers, Goondiwindi Regional Council, Southern Queensland Landscapes, Whyalla Beef, Connanbarra, Southern Down Regional Council, Condamine Plains Irrigation Limited, Central Downs Irrigators Limited and Toowoomba Regional Council.
Last updated: 21 March 2024