Latest Projects
National Carp and Pest Fish Task Force
Invasive pest fish (carp, redfin, tilapia, gambusia, weather loach, etc) within the Murray-Darling Basin are a problem. The Murray Darling Association’s National Carp Task Force has provided a proven model of partnership, community participation and action to address these fish.
The Murray Darling Association established the National Carp Task Force in 1996, providing a strong focus for Local Government and community participation in the development of a more co-ordinated approach to carp management. The Task Force had Local Government, community, recreation & commercial fishers, research and agency representation from six states and the ACT.
For more information go to Murray Darling Association - National Carp Task Force
NSW Murray Wetlands Working Group
The Working Group was formed in 1992 as an initiative of the Murray and Lower Murray-Darling Catchment Management Committees.
These committees recognised the continuing loss and degradation of wetlands in the catchment of the River Murray in NSW and established the working group to develop and implement well researched, technically sound and community endorsed management programs for specific wetlands.
The MWWG is an incorporated group. It has its own constitution and develops its own charter of activities.
The Group was the winner of the 2007 Thiess National Riverprize, a finalist for the 2002 Thiess National Riverprize and has received four Rivercare 2000 awards.
Check the latest Australian Wetlands newsletters and articles.
Cultural Heritage Project – Horseshoe Lagoon
The Murray Darling Association has planned and implemented an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage/Bush Tucker Trail at Horseshoe Lagoon with identification of significant plants, planting of cultural heritage plants, fencing of endangered vegetation, interpretive signs & materials.
Murray Valley Trail – Sunraysia
The Murray Valley Trail is a way to discover and experience the Murray Valley and Australia's greatest river system from the mountains to the sea.
The Murray Valley Trail provides a backbone, which links and promotes a network of tracks and trails on public land to improve community understanding and knowledge of the Murray River, its ecosystems, Indigenous culture and heritage, from the mountains to the sea.
The Trail, winds through three states, providing tourism and recreational business and employment opportunities, promoting healthy lifestyles, recreation and community development, while helping to protect a vast natural resource.
The Murray Valley Trail project is underpinned by a need to improve our understanding and knowledge of the Murray River's ecosystems and fragile ecology, as well as the importance of protecting and enhancing the river's environment. The Sunraysia section of the trail is being implemented now.
For more information about the Murray Valley Trail, phone Adrian Wells on (02) 6021 2025
Natural Resource Management Comic Book
The Murray Darling Association is currently working with Inception Strategies to produce a comic book aimed at high school students educating them about issues within the Murray-Darling Basin.
National Plan for Water Security Forums
The Murray Darling Association has been conducting a series of forums in response the Government’s National Plan for Water Security. Forums in Dubbo and Shepparton have been very successful and more forums are planned for Adelaide and Goodiwindi in the near future.
Erosion Scoping Study
The Murray Darling Association has completed a scoping study of the Murray River between Yarrawonga and Torrumbarry on riverbank erosion. This preliminary study will lead to a major study of riverbank erosion along the entire Murray River.
COAG Water Agreement
The Council of Australian Governments (CoAG) has now given clear responsibility to the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council to move ahead with work on the $500 million Living Murray initiative. This was then enhanced by a further $500 million to enable the works to be accelerated. Concurrently the National Water Commission was empowered to provide $2 billion to carry out the following segments;
- conversion of existing water rights into secure and tradable water access entitlements;
- completion of water plans that are consistent with the NWI through transparent processes and using best available science;
- implementation of these plans to achieve sustainable levels of surface and ground water extraction in practice;
- establishment of open and low cost water trading arrangements;
- improvement of water pricing to support the wider water reform agenda; and
- implementation of national water accounting and measurement standards, and adequate systems for measuring, metering, monitoring and reporting on water resources.
For more information: [ click to download pdf ]
River Murray Levy
The State Government imposed a levy on all SA Water customers in 2002/03. Payments received go in a special 'Save the Murray Fund' and by law can only be spent on measures to improve the health of the River by increasing the quantity of water in the river and improving the quality.
To view the 2006/07 annual report: [ click to download pdf ]
For more information ring SA Water Customer Contact Centre on 1300 650 950.
Water Proofing Adelaide
Working with the people of South Australia, Water Proofing Adelaide is a State Government initiative which is developing a blueprint for the management, conservation and development of Adelaide's water resources to 2025.
The Murray Darling Association in conjunction with metropolitan councils, the Irrigation Association of Australia, The Bureau of Meteorology and other water user groups was instrumental in the development of the "Code of practice - Irrigated Public Open Space".
To find out more visit: www.waterproofingadelaide.sa.gov.au
For the code visit: SA Water
Native Fish Strategy
Native fish species are an indicator of the overall health of the Murray-Darling Basin and its rivers. They provide a warning that the natural ecological functioning of the rivers is at risk. The situation needs urgent attention. The Native Fish Strategy is an initiative of the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council, its goal is to rehabilitate rapidly declining native fish communities in the Basin to 60% of their estimated pre-European settlement levels. The draft Strategy is presented by the Murray-Darling Basin Commission (MDBC).
Full Story ... http://www.mdbc.gov.au/NFS
Sponsors
