Basin Community Committee

The Basin Community Committee provides a community perspective on a wide range of water resource, environmental, cultural and socioeconomic matters.

Basin Community Committee (BCC) members are selected based on their expertise or interest in water use, water management, Indigenous and local government matters.

BCC members are key local contacts for the Authority. They report on community concerns and issues around Basin Plan implementation and provide information to Basin communities on our programs. The BCC also engages with other advisory communities established by the Authority.

They advise on:

• community matters relating to the Basin water resources
• matters referred to the BCC by the Authority.

To assist in its advisory role the BCC forms irrigation, environmental water and Indigenous water subcommittees. These committees help better inform any advice to the Authority and Ministerial Council.

Basin Community Committee members

Gwydir

Phil Duncan – Chair (Gwydir)

A Gomeroi man from Moree, Phil is currently living and working in Sydney, New South Wales. Phil has provided high-level policy and strategic advice to key First Nations representative organisations, governments and key interest groups. Phil has more than 38 years’ experience working with First Nations people, communities and liaising with governments. He joined the Basin Community Committee in August 2018 and was appointed Chair in January 2020.

Border Rivers

Sam Coulton (Border Rivers)

Sam is continuing his family’s tradition of farming around Goondiwindi, Queensland and currently manages multiple properties focusing on cotton, dryland crops and beef. Sam was raised in regional New South Wales near the MacIntyre River and is passionate about sustainable irrigation and ensuring regional towns are viable.

Condamine

Andrew Drysdale (Condamine)

Andrew has an extensive knowledge of government, agriculture and natural resources. He has held both chair and chief executive positions relating to natural resource management and is experienced in connecting communities to governments in a broad range of settings.

Barwon–Darling

Ed Fessey (Barwon-Darling)

Ed is a floodplain grazier at Brewarrina in northern New South Wales and has been the chair of the Lower Balonne Floodplain Association for more than 10 years. A former representative on the Northern Basin Advisory Committee and the Great Artesian Basin Community Consultative Committee, Ed has always been a strong advocate for his community.

Sunraysia

Mike Gilby (Sunraysia)

Mike hails from Barkindji Country and has a keen interest in research and development, natural resource management, cultural heritage and ecological asset management. He has more than 30 years’ experience working with communities in the complex natural resources sector linking communities and governments.

Lower Murray

Warren Jacobs (Lower Murray)

Warren, a dairy farmer from South Australia, has a focus on productive and sustainable agriculture, leadership and innovation. He has undertaken representative roles for industry including on the National Farmers Federation Water Committee and the Murray Darling Association Region 6 Committee.

Mid-Murray and Murrumbidgee

Rachel Kelly (Mid-Murray and Murrumbidgee)

Although based in Moama New South Wales in the Mid-Murray, Rachel knows the issues facing rural communities right across the Murrumbidgee region. As the policy manager for Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia and vice-chair of New South Wales Irrigators Council, Rachel is actively engaged in water policy.

Dubbo

Susan Madden – Authority member (Dubbo)

Susan is one of the 6 members of the Murray–Darling Basin Authority. She has extensive experience in agricultural economics, agriculture, and natural resource management. She is a consultant with GHD Pty Ltd, Assistant Commissioner of the New South Wales Natural Resources Commission, Chair of the Central West Local Land Services and sits on the New South Wales Local Land Services Board.

Riverland

Neil Martinson (Riverland)

Neil is Mayor of Renmark Paringa Council in South Australia and a member of the South Australian River Murray Sustainability Program. Neil has a keen interest in water and natural resource management and works to connect communities and governments.

Barwon–Darling

Feli McHughes (Barwon–Darling)

As a First Nations person with a keen interest in communities and ecosystems, Feli is keen to ensure there is culturally appropriate dialogue between all communities to create greater harmony and an increased understanding of water management. He is keen to ensure that climate change impacts are well considered in future planning.

Lower Balonne

Samantha O'Toole (Lower Balonne)

Samantha is the Mayor of the Balonne Shire, a small business owner in St George, Queensland and has a keen interest in supporting communities.

Sunraysia

Nadine (Sue) Rudd (Sunraysia)

Sue is a business owner from Merbein, Victoria and works with small businesses to build their capacity and resilience. She is a graduate of the Northern Mallee Leadership Program and is a founding member of the Women Advancing Rural Communities Group. She is a keen advocate for sustainable water management in her region.

Wimmera

Emelia Sudholz (Wimmera)

Emelia has significant interest and experience in agriculture, natural resources management and the management of water. She has experience in farming and as a board member of the Wimmera Catchment Management Authority and on customer committees for Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water.

Goulburn–Broken

Adrian Weston (Goulburn–Broken)

Adrian is a mixed cropping irrigator and dryland grazier from Rushworth, Victoria. He is a Campaspe Shire Councillor, and Deputy Chair of the Goulburn–Broken Catchment Management Authority.

Macquarie–Castlereagh

Alice Williams (Macquarie–Castlereagh)

Alice, who lives in Orange, is a Wiradjuri/Wolgalu woman from Brungle, New South Wales. She is a director of the Murray Lower Darling Indigenous Nations (MLDRIN) representing the Wolgalu Nation and has been actively involved in connecting Aboriginal communities with governments in decision making. In a professional capacity Alice has worked with Forestry New South Wales and the New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage, particularly on cultural mapping and cultural heritage issues. She has a keen interest in ensuring the next generation understand cultural connections.