OPENING LINES VALUE OF MURRAY-DARLING CONFERENCE LAUDED BY COUNCILLOR Source: www.arr.news, Contributor ARR News, First Published January 22, 2026 The Murray-Darling Association 2025 National Conference saw its new Strategic Plan unveiled, building on the direction of Vision 2025. Narrandera Shire Council was represented by Cr Jenny Clarke, who presented a report to the Council recently. Targeted and direct, strategic objectives are to: • Advocate for Sustainable Water Management • Strengthen Community and Stakeholder Engagement • Promote Indigenous Water Rights and Participation • Enhance Policy and Research Capacity • Advocate for Climate-Resilient Water Infrastructure. Cr Clarke said by focusing on these strategic objectives, the MDA felt it could play a pivotal role in shaping water policy and advocacy in the Murray-Darling Basin. “This plan aligns with the MDA’s Vision and provides a roadmap for achieving sustainable and equitable water management across the region,” she said. The Murray Darling Association (MDA) is the peak body representing Local Government across the Murray Darling Basin, with its membership base divided into 12 separate regions in which councils have common interests. Its purpose it to provide effective representation of local government and communities at state and federal level in the management of Basin resources by providing Information, facilitating debate and seeking to influence government policy. Members discussed and reviewed 14 motions ranging from water storage and weir management, meaningful Federal engagement with Basin communities, the longterm impacts of growth on river resources, sustainable water resource planning, as well as broader Basin representation. The MDA has already begun engaging with state and federal governments and entities and are exploring further engagement opportunities for the year ahead. Delegates enjoyed a study tour of the Riverina, focussing on the local industries, innovative farming, irrigation, as well as the value of water to the Riverina region. Attendees also met with staff at the Murrumbidgee Irrigation (MI) Griffith headquarters, where staff presented on, and showcased their irrigation infrastructure in the region, as well as the technology and surge reservoirs used to manage water during high flow periods. Future planning for the irrigation entity includes the exploration of technology to make their processes more autonomous and to better integrate on-farm, and offfarm. Following the meeting with MI, attendees met with researchers from the One Basin CRC Griffith Hub, who provided a brief overview of the Griffith Hub’s goals, research and benefit to the Riverina region. The study tour’s next port of call was the expansive Kooba Station, where station representatives joined the study tour as attendees drove through Kooba Station’s vast fields of syphon irrigated plantations. Attendees were welcomed by the Whitton Malt House 7 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 08, ISSUE 01
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