Authority Chair regional engagement 2022

Murray–Darling Basin Authority Chair, Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston AK AFC (Ret’d) is committed to getting out and meeting with people who live and work across the Basin.

Since taking on the role in August 2020 Sir Angus has completed several listening and learning tours across much of the Basin, while complying with COVID-19 conditions.

Map of 2022 tour locations

Cobar | Tilpa | Wilcannia | Menindee

Sir Angus Houston headed to the Darling for his ninth listening tour of the Murray–Darling Basin. The tour included representatives from the Murray–Darling Basin Authority and partner Australian and New South Wales Government agencies. It provided Sir Angus with the chance to hear first-hand from communities about what matters to them in water management.

The tour included visits to Tilpa, Wilcannia, Lake Wetherell, Copi Hollow, Sunset Strip, Menindee and Pooncarie.

During the tour Sir Angus spoke to a range of people and groups including the Australian Floodplain Association, Menindee Food and Fibre, Central Darling Shire Council, Menindee Tourist Association, NSW Farmers, West Darling Fishing Club, Darling River Action Group, Menindee Elders Group, Sunset Progress Association South-West Water Users and Anabranch Water.

Cowra | Forbes | Condobolin | Parkes | Reids Flat

The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) and partner Australian Government agencies have been out this week in the Lachlan Valley in New South Wales to hear first-hand from communities about what matters most to them in water management.

MDBA Authority Chair Sir Angus Houston led the 3-day tour that kicked off in Cowra on Monday before travelling to Forbes, Condobolin, Parkes, and Reids Flat. This was Sir Angus’s eighth listening tour during his time as Chair of the Authority.

More information on this tour is available in the MDBA newsroom: Listening and learning in the Lachlan Valley.

Goondiwindi | St George | Roma | Moree | Dirranbandi

Sir Angus was back on the road again for his seventh listening tour within the Murray–Darling Basin. The tour was originally scheduled for August 2021 but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The tour provided Sir Angus with the chance to meet with stakeholders in the Condamine–Balonne and Border Rivers catchments to discuss water management issues.

Key aspects of the tour included:

• visiting a range of farming operations including 'Morella' at Boggabilla, Goondiwindi's Woods Group Algae Pharm, 'Bullamon Plains' at Thallon, and 'Cubbie Station' at Dirranbandi
• insights into environmental watering activities at various locations including Munya Lake
• meeting with local government, community and industry leaders to better understand the importance of access to water for economic development in the region
• hearing more about First Nations values and involvement in water management at some significant sites.

During the tour Sir Angus met with representatives from many organisations including Morella Agriculture, Bigambul Native Title Aboriginal Corporation, Inland Rail, Goondiwindi Regional Council, Cotton Australia, Dirranbandi Landcare, St George Cotton Growers Association, Southern Queensland Landscapes, Balonne Shire Council, SunWater and Mallawa Irrigation.

Sam Coulton (Morella Ag), Sir Angus Houston, Andrew Reynolds (acting MDBA Chief Executive) and Michael Murray (Cotton Australia general manager) at bumper cotton crop at Morella, Boggabilla.