Webinar: Responding to water availability in the Murray–Darling Basin?

Our May webinar explored adaption, innovation and community development in the Murray–Darling Basin.

If you missed it, you can watch it here.

Over time, the Murray-Darling Basin communities have faced significant social and economic pressures, reshaping farming systems and industries, and altering the economic and social fabric of rural areas.

In the context of the Murray-Darling Basin, we delved into four interconnected factors exacerbating long-standing pressures on farm businesses and communities:

• Declining river inflows due to climate change and variability

• Caps on diversions

• The emergence of water markets within these caps

• Government-initiated water buybacks

Our webinar dissected how these factors intersect, and importantly, how they impact the social, economic, and environmental landscape. We explored potential solutions through a coordinated approach to structural adjustment and community development.

At the heart of this discussion is a One Basin discussion paper, serving as our roadmap. Leading the dialogue is Professor Geoff Cockfield, who presents key insights from the paper. His presentation was followed by a dynamic panel discussion, delving deeper into the implications and opportunities presented.

The panel comprised:

• Prof Geoff Cockfield
  One Basin / University of Southern Queensland

• Ben Fee
  Regional Development Australia, Murraylands and Riverland

• Amanda Howard
  One Basin / University of Sydney

• Kym Walton
  One Basin