6-month snapshot of the Lachlan and Macquarie–Castlereagh
I’ve been fortunate enough to have spent the start of 2025 out in the Basin connecting with communities, colleagues, and the industries and groups that form my patch of the Basin. I’ve heard concerns around town water security and water quality in Orange, Bathurst and Dubbo, infrastructure in Gin Gin, and increased fears around the possibility of drought.
However, out of these concerns have come great conversations and opportunities. I’ve spent these past few months participating in invaluable conversations and workshops on the 2026 Basin Plan Review, town water security initiatives, the Water Amendment (Restoring Our Rivers) Act 2023, and how we can best protect the Basin for generations to come.
Late last year I also welcomed Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) Chief Executive Andrew McConville, and Authority members Susan Madden and Stuart Bunn to the catchment, where together we visited major towns along the Macquarie River. We listened and learned from communities in Narromine, Warren, Burrima, Trangie and Dubbo, and shared our thinking on current issues.
It’s these on-ground connections that are crucial to empowering communities and allowing the MDBA to make informed decisions on water reform.
Looking forward to mid-2025
The Lachlan and Macquarie–Castlereagh catchments make up around 15% of the Basin, contributing just over 14% of the system’s water, and supporting 13% of the Basin’s population.
My job, as a regional engagement officer, is to to connect with people living and working in the two catchments, and create opportunities for them to provide their local knowledge to inform the work of the MDBA.
As the land area of the catchments is so vast, there are many farmers, growers, and communuity members out there who I haven’t yet had the opportunity to connect with. The rest of this year is all about expanding my network, nurturing my existing connections, and having meaningful conversations with as many people as I can about the future of the Basin.
We encourage people to talk to us about their experiences, aspirations 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.