In mid-December, we held the final round of Regional Community Forums for 2023. These forums, comprising up to 20 people, include landholders, First Nations and government representatives who hold local knowledge and an interest in the Basin, operate in 6 regions and meet up to 3 times a year.
The forums are an important way to connect with Basin communities. They help us communicate and share knowledge with community members, hear local insights and deepen our understanding of regional issues.
The most recent forums were used to discuss the Basin Plan Review, Basin Plan Evaluation, and a water values survey.
Basin Plan Review
Our Chief Executive Andrew McConville gave an update on the 2026 Basin Plan Review.
“The upcoming Basin Plan Review will ensure we are well positioned to respond to future challenges and improve the Basin Plan to reflect what we have learnt from implementation to date,” he said.
“It’s early stages, but I want to assure you, community input is essential to the Review process.
“Our work will be informed by significant science investments including the Sustainable Yields study, the Sustainable Rivers Audit, the Basin Condition Monitoring Program and the Integrated River Modelling Uplift Program.
“Collectively, this body of work will comprise one of the most comprehensive Basin-scale assessments ever undertaken of water resources and the social, economic, and environmental condition of the Basin.
“The Review is an opportunity to consolidate the learnings of a decade of Basin Plan implementation, to ensure we can achieve the maximum possible benefit from water for the environment.”
The Regional Community Forums are just one way we’re engaging on the Basin Plan Review. For more information read the latest Basin Plan Review progress update. For more information read the latest Basin Plan Review progress update.
Basin Plan Evaluation
Forum members were asked a series of questions about the implementation of the Basin Plan to inform the Evaluation:
- What hasn’t worked well?
- What has worked well?
- Did anything unexpected happen?
- What/where/how could we do better?
Responses varied across the forums, with key themes and details of the feedback to be collated into a report which will be reviewed by the groups next year, then published as part of the Basin Plan Evaluation process.
Water values survey
Guest presenter Professor Jacki Schirmer from the University of Canberra shared research with the forums members about the annual Regional Wellbeing Survey, in particular questions relating to Murray–Darling Basin residents.
The Regional Wellbeing survey began in 2013, and following feedback from groups, including the Regional Community Forums, has been expanded under the Basin Condition Monitoring Program to include questions examining water quality and management in regions across the Basin.
Professor Schirmer explained the research gathered will continue to inform understanding of community perspectives about issues affecting the Basin – such as access to water, confidence to cope with events like drought, floods and fires and attitudes towards quality of life in regional towns.
The survey is open until the end of January 2024, and forum members were encouraged to share the information with their local communities. Results will form part of the knowledge base for the Basin Plan Review.
Join our Regional Community Forums
There is still room in our Regional Community Forums for you.
Join a forum group and share your experiences to inform recommendations that will support rivers for generations.
Email or phone us for more information at engagement@mdba.gov.au or 1800 230 067.