We last caught up with Peter in April 2024, where he reflected on the connections he had formed with Basin communities during his 6 years as a REO across the Lachlan and Macquarie–Castlereagh catchments.
Peter explained that it has been a busy period for the Regional Engagement team since then, and more broadly since the December 2023 rollout of the Water Amendment (Restoring Our Rivers) Act 2023.
The Act made changes to the Water Act 2007 and Basin Plan 2012, providing more time, options, funding and accountability to deliver the Basin Plan and remaining water recovery targets in full.
It’s also been a big year for bringing unfamiliar faces to the region. Peter recently hosted fellow colleague Belinda McGrath-Steer, General Manager of Sustainable Water Management, so she could get an on-the-ground understanding of some of the unique challenges and opportunities in the community.
While the legislation has been and will continue to be a major topic of conversation in every Basin community, here in the Lachlan and Macquarie–Castlereagh we’re also having key discussions around system connectivity, the Basin Plan Review Early Insights Paper, 2025 Basin Plan Evaluation and 2026 Basin Plan Review.
– Peter Thomas, Regional Engagement Officer
Belinda plays an important role in the MDBA’s Basin Plan division, which undertakes a variety of functions, ranging from the assessment of water resource plans to management of the system of accounts that keeps track of how much water is taken each year from the Basin's rivers, valleys and groundwater systems.
“The community was grateful for the opportunity to meet with Belinda and share their knowledge and concerns around sustainable water management,” said Peter.
“These visits really are so beneficial for MDBA staff to develop closer relationships with key stakeholders in regions of the Basin.”
This week Peter will also be joined by Chief Executive Andrew McConville and Authority members Susan Madden and Professor Stuart Bunn for the fourth MDBA Tour of 2024.
Together with representatives from the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office and Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, the tour party will travel around the Macquarie catchment for 4 days, meeting with Basin communities and visiting key areas of the region.
Part of their tour will include a visit to the iconic Macquarie Marshes – one of the largest remaining semi-permanent wetland systems in inland Australia, which has hosted some of the Basin’s largest-scale waterbird breeding events ever recorded.
Peter explained that one of the most interesting and important parts of these tours is recognising that every Basin community is formed by unique voices with unique needs.
“While communities in the Lachlan and Macquarie–Castlereagh catchments may not have the same views or needs as the communities in the Lower Murray, one thing these communities do share is a common goal - a sustainable river for generations to come.”
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We encourage people to talk to us about their experiences and concerns. We want everyone invested in the Basin to contact the Regional Engagement Team. Our Regional Engagement Officers have an impressive range of skills, experience and strong community ties. To provide feedback or keep up to date on this program, email engagement@mdba.gov.au.