Wrapping up engagement for 2024

Despite being from different Basin regions, Annabelle and Kate share a deep connection to their communities. The key link between them is their shared responsibility in listening to and advocating for the needs and priorities of the communities they represent, like focusing on sustainable outcomes and the associated environmental, social, and economic issues.

As the REO team starts to wrap up another fantastic year, Annabelle of the Namoi/Gwydir and Kate of the Lower Murray, SA have taken the to opportunity to reflect on some highlights across their catchments.

The Lower Murray, South Australia with Kate Bartlett

The past few months have been busy for the Engagement team, travelling across the Basin and having important conversations in their regions. Very rarely do the team have the opportunity to travel across the Basin to have important conversations with each other face-to-face.

Last month Kate travelled to Albury, New South Wales (NSW), for the Australian Freshwater Sciences Society’s (AFSS) annual conference. Not only did it bring together a wide range of scientists, managers, policy makers and communicators, but also all of our REO’s in one room.

“As we are all so geographically dispersed, we don’t get to see each other all that often,” said Kate.

“It was such a fantastic opportunity to catch up and hear first-hand what has been happening in our respective communities.”

Kate has also engaged with the Goyder Institute for Water Research Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth (CLLMM) Research Centre, since its opening in June 2023. Based in Goolwa, South Australia, the centre provides opportunity for increased involvement of First Nations and community in the design, delivery and sharing of knowledge to inform decision making in the region.

The centre recently kicked off their Summer Series of Science, which explores local insights into Climate Change in the CLLMM Region. For more information on how to get involved visit What's On? | CLLMM.

The Namoi/Gwydir, New South Wales with Annabelle Guest

Up in the northern Basin, it's all about the Barwon–Darling and connectivity to that system. The landscape and ecosystems are different, water is regulated differently, and the communities and industries have different needs.

“Here in the north, we've just finished the best winter crop harvest ever! High yields, good quality and little interruption from the weather,” Annabelle said.

“Agriculture is vitally important to the economy of the northern Basin but the reliability of irrigation water is low and therefore communities need other ways to support themselves.”

As well as a desire to create a healthy local economy for communities across the Namoi and Gwydir catchments, constraints and environmental water are also topics leading local conversations.

“Although the topics are different across every catchment, the communities all want the same thing – a healthy and sustainable river.” Annabelle recently caught up with the MDBA’s Sam Roseby, local irrigators, and environmental stakeholders to get some on-the-ground feedback on the Gwydir Constraints project and explore connections with the Constraints Relaxation Implementation Roadmap.

The Roadmap includes a number of findings and practical steps for governments to consider, both up to 2026 when current funding ends, and in preparing for any decision on implementation over the longer term.

In November, Annabelle and Sam visited a number of locations in the catchment including Rimanui Farm and the Gwydir Wetlands – one of the most extensive and significant semi-permanent wetlands in north-west NSW.

“It has been great to host the Riverine Ecology team and other MDBA staff in my region this year – everything is looking spectacular,” added Annabelle.