The Early Insights Paper Workshop report from River Reflections Conference 2024 is now available.
As we prepare for the Basin Plan Review, we know that working together will yield better results than working alone. We’re sharing our thinking and reporting on our progress as often as possible. We’re asking Basin communities for their feedback and input along the way.
In April 2024, we shared our thinking on key challenges for the Basin Plan Review at the Basin Leadership Summit. We sought feedback from Basin leaders on our approach and they shared their perspectives with us. What we heard and learnt at the Summit helped shape the Early Insights Paper.
These leaders also spoke about the overall goal of the Basin Plan: for a healthy and working Murray–Darling Basin. While many of us may have different perspectives on what this means, the desire for a healthy Basin unites us all.
In June 2024, we continued these important conversations at the River Reflections Conference. Almost 300 people from across the Basin attended a workshop to respond to the Early Insights Paper.
Participants shared their first impressions and feedback on the Paper and asked questions about our approach to the upcoming 2026 Basin Plan Review.
What did participants think about the Early Insights Paper?
Throughout the workshop many participants shared positive first impressions on the Paper. In particular, there was support for:
Moving beyond ‘just add water’ and towards a more integrated approach to managing land and water together.
Recognition of differing complexities in the northern Basin and the highly regulated southern Basin.
Better involving First Nations people in water management.
Some participants wanted a greater focus on:
- the importance of restoring native fish populations
- the balance between economic interests and the environment
- private storages and gaps in the system of weirs and locks.
You can read a detailed summary of all participant feedback.
While we’re considering how to manage the Basin into the future, it helps us to know what people think is most important when it comes to the health of the Basin. We took the opportunity to ask workshop participants what a healthy Basin means to them. Their responses highlighted the many perspectives and interests in the Basin.
Key themes included:
thriving communities
resilience
balance
equity
sustainable ecosystems
agriculture
working together.
What do you think?
We’ve shared our Early Insights Paper with all Australians to discuss the Basin’s biggest and most complex challenges.
We want you to read it, get a better understanding of the issues, and tell us what you think.
Share your thoughts on the Early Insights Paper and what a healthy Basin means to you to help shape the 2026 Basin Plan Review.
Visit Early Insights Paper feedback form.
We welcome your perspectives on the work we're doing at any time.