As a REO, Lucy hits the road regularly to visit Basin communities and attend engagements across the catchment. She supports local tours to the region, facilitates interactive school presentations, and forms valuable connections with every community member she meets.
We recently caught up with Lucy to see what’s been making news in the region and where she’ll be popping up throughout the Basin in 2024:
A wet and wild start to 2024
We’ve seen a number of heavy rainfall events through the Condamine–Balonne catchment and wider northern Basin since the beginning of 2024, which has been positive for the communities further downstream of the Balonne. Despite these rainfall events, we’re still expecting below average rainfall and above average temperatures as we move into autumn.
Continued connections in the northern Basin
It’s shaping up to be a pretty big year for the Regional Engagement Team, and I feel so lucky to be entering another year with my REO colleagues and the many communities I have formed great relationships with. As the only Regional Engagement Officer based in Queensland it’s really important for me to continue getting out in community as often as I can and sharing the array of voices throughout the northern Basin.
This year the MDBA will continue working towards a number of key Basin Plan deadlines, and the 2025 Basin Plan Evaluation. The Evaluation assesses the effectiveness of the implementation of the Plan and provides key insights that will inform the 2026 Basin Plan Review.
The Review has been a big topic of conversation here in the northern Basin, specifically around the Water Amendment (Restoring Our Rivers) Act 2023, and water recovery methods.
Key activities for 2024
Lower Balonne Roundtable
The roundtable is a really instrumental form of engagement. It brings together local, state and federal governments, water agencies, and community stakeholders to address local water-related issues and progress the roll-out of the Northern Basin Toolkit measures. We are currently preparing for the first roundtable of 2024, which will take place in the first half of this year.
Teaching the art of water sharing and management
I’m really looking forward to getting out in river communites and teaching young people about the special role they have in the Basin, for future generations.
As part of our interactive school sessions, I take students through various activities including River Bingo, All the Water in the World, and the Water Sharing game.
It’s so rewarding to have students engaging with us and wanting to learn more about the Murray–Darling Basin.
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.