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SUBMISSIONS AND REPORTS

At the Murray Darling Association we strive to inform the public about the many issues surrounding the management of the Murray-Darling Basin and what we are doing to ensure sustainable management of the basin resources. Our media releases and responses to policy announcements are representative of the Association as a whole unless otherwise stated.

We represent each of our 12 regions equally and aim to deliver outcomes which support this.

MDA Reports & Submissions 2014 - Present

MDA Annual Reports 2014 - Present

Vision 2025: Strategic Plan 2020-2025

This Strategic Plan sets out our five-year goals and describes the strategies we will implement to achieve them. We commit to providing a regular report card to our members to provide updates on our performance in delivering these strategies, and our progress in achieving our goals.

Year Published: 2019

Strategic Plan 2016-2019

The Murray Darling Association Strategic Plan 2016-19 aims to provide a clear, cohesive and concise statement of the actions that will enable the MDA to fulfill our purpose and to represent our members on issues of local and basin wide significance.

Year Published: 2015

MDA BASIN BULLETIN

The Murray Darling Association provides a monthly electronic newsletter to stakeholders which continues on from the Basin Bulletin - editions available to be viewed. We look forward to hearing from you, and hope that the information contained in the newsletters assists you.

To share your feedback about any of the newsletters or if you have any questions, please contact your Region Chair or email t.phillips@mda.asn.au

MEDIA RELEASES

At the Murray Darling Association we strive to inform the public about the many issues surrounding the management of the Murray-Darling Basin and what we are doing to ensure sustainable management of the basin resources.

Our media releases and responses to policy announcements are representative of the Association as a whole unless otherwise stated. We represent each of our 12 regions equally and aim to deliver outcomes which support this.

  • MURRAY DARLING ASSOCIATION WELCOMES NEW LEADESHIP TEAM: A BLEND OF EXPERIENCE AND RENEWAL

    The MDA Board has appointed Mayor Craig Davies from Narromine Shire Council as its National President, and Cr Glen Andreazza from Griffith City Council as its Vice-President.

  • Murray Darling Association Hosts 79th National Conference

    Featuring the Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, the Bureau of Meteorology, Murray Darling Association Hosts 79th National Conference Basin Experts, Water Users, Irrigation, and Industry heads, as well as Shadow Water Minister Senator Perin Davey and Murray-Darling Basin CEO, Andrew McConville.

  • Murray Darling Association Hosts 79th National Conference

    The Murray Darling Association will be hosting its 79th National Conference at The Rural City of Murray Bridge, SA, on 27th – 28th September 2023 featuring the Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, Basin Experts, Water Users, Irrigation, and Industry heads, as well as Shadow Water Minister Senator Perin Davey and Inspector-General of Water Compliance the Hon Troy Grant.

  • Murray Darling Association Hosts 79th National Conference

    The Murray Darling Association will be hosting its 79th National Conference in the Rural City of Murray Bridge from the 25th – 28th September 2023 featuring Basin Experts, Ministers, Government Departments, Water Users, Irrigation, and Industry heads.

  • Murray Darling Association Hosts Northern Basin Forum

    The Murray Darling Association will be hosting the Northern Basin Forum at Tamworth on 9th May 2023 featuring Basin Experts, Water Users, Irrigation, and Industry heads, as well as Murray-Darling Basin Authority CEO Andrew McConville and Inspector-General of Water Compliance the Hon Troy Grant.

Media Releases - 2024

  • Murray-Darling peak body seeks new CEO

    The MDA Board and staff would like to wish the wonderful Emma Bradbury all the best following the announcement of her retirement as chief executive. Ms Bradbury has been in the role since 2014 and says the position has been one of the most challenging, rewarding, and privileged in her long and diverse career. Ms Bradbury will continue to serve the Murray Darling Association until her successor is appointed.

  • Basin Communities Leadership Program is coming to Rochester

    The MDA in now inviting established and emerging leaders across the Campaspe Shire to register now for the Basin Communities Leadership Program. This is your opportunity to develop your skills and lead for change, ensuring the future you want for your community and industry.

  • MDA elects new Chair for Murrumbidgee Region

    Griffith City Councillor and 2018 Farmer of the Year Glen Andreazza is the new Chair of Region 9. Cr Andreazza’s election marks a strong and stable transition of the leadership for the region, with the pending retirement from local government of long serving Chair and Mayor of Leeton Shire Council, Paul Maytom.

  • MDA 77th National Conference a resounding success

    For four days last week, the Murray Darling Association met in Wentworth for its 77th Annual General Meeting & National Conference

  • MDA 77th National Conference & AGM – Release of Meeting Agenda

    This year’s MDA National Conference & AGM is without question one of the strongest programs the MDA has presented in its 77 year history.

  • Councils concerned by announcement of low flows over Easter

    The Murray-Darling Basin Authority this week advised that with recent rain across the Murray catchments, irrigation demand is likely to drop causing low river levels in the Murray River over Easter.

  • MDA announces 2021 National Conference - CONNECTIVITY: Connecting Councils & Catchments

    Representatives from over 100 councils across the Basin will meet at the junction of the Murray and the Darling rivers this May to discuss the importance of connectivity to the future health and prosperity of all Murray-Darling Basin communities.

Media Releases - 2021

  • MDA Region 2 grows from strength to strength with Federation Council as incoming chair

    Federation Council’s Cr Bronwyn Thomas was recognised for her leadership and passion for Murray-Darling Basin communities in Yarrawonga earlier this month when she was elected chair of Murray Darling Association’s Region 2.

  • MDA welcomes new leadership team

    MDA leadership team a blend of experience and renewal

    The Murray Darling Association (MDA), Australia’s peak body representing local government across the Murray Darling Basin, has appointed an experienced and capable leadership team for the implementation of the first year of Vision 2025: the MDA’s new five-year strategic plan.

  • Calling emerging leaders to participate in exciting leadership program in Collarenebri

    The Murray Darling Association is currently calling for applications from emerging community leaders across the Warren region to participate in the MDA’s inaugural Basin Communities Leadership Program (BCLP).

  • A new approach puts local communities at the heart of the Basin Plan

    The Murray Darling Association has welcomed the Federal Government’s overhaul of the Murray-Darling Basin water buyback scheme as a win for local communities and for the environment.

  • Murray-Darling turf war is strangling communities

    The never ending turf war in the Murray-Darling Basin is strangling local communities, and Basin governments need to follow the lead of a range of local government, community, industry, and environmental groups working to put the Basin’s future above politics.

  • Calling emerging Wakool leaders to participate in exciting leadership program

    The Murray Darling Association is currently calling for applications from emerging community leaders across Wakool region to participate in the MDA’s inaugural Basin Communities Leadership Program.

  • Local government welcomes submission of final NSW Water Resource Plans

    Communities from across New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia have welcomed the historic announcement by Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia Keith Pitt of New South Wales’ submission of its final nine water resource plans.

  • Councils need Basin Governments to stay the course

    A renewed threat from the NSW government to withdraw from the Murray Darling Basin Ministerial Council following a meeting last Friday has local government and councils deeply concerned.

    The Murray Darling Association, Australia’s peak body representing local government across the Basin, is urging all governments to stay the course and continue to work constructively with focus on getting critical supply projects and Water Resource Plans on track.

Media Releases - 2020

Media Releases - 2019

  • Socio-economic assessment criteria welcomed

    The Murray Darling Association has welcomed measures that stipulate project proponents under the Murray-Darling Basin Water Infrastructure Program must consult with local government during the planning process.

  • Councils inform and influence Basin decisions - Track the progress

    Progress relating to resolutions from the past five Murray Darling Association annual general meetings are now available to view online.

  • Regeneration for a healthy Basin

    ReGeneration… for a healthy Basin will be the theme of the Murray Darling Association’s Jubilee 75th National Conference and annual general meeting to be held in Toowoomba in 2019.

  • MDA response to draft report

    The Murray Darling Association welcomes the Productivity Commission Murray-Darling Basin Plan: Five-year assessment - Draft report released last week and presented at the MDA National Conference in Leeton.

  • Glowing support for drought relief efforts

    Murray Darling Association supporters will be able to experience the sights of either Leeton, Melbourne or the Yarra Valley by air whilst raising funds for drought relief efforts.

  • Call for Goulburn River flows assessment

    The Murray Darling Association has welcomed the City of Greater Shepparton’s decision to propose a motion that will be debated at this month’s 74th National Conference.

  • Nod given to local government engagement

    A packed program considering a range of nationally significant issues will be presented later this month when the Murray Darling Association holds its 74th National Conference and Annual General Meeting at Leeton, New South Wales.

  • Local government's input growing

    The Murray Darling Association’s continuing advocacy on behalf of local governments across the Basin has taken a further step forward.

  • Motions announced

    Seventeen motions will be up for discussion during the Murray Darling Association's 74th Annual General Meeting, occurring on Thursday, August 30 at Leeton. New South Wales.

  • Water extraction a hot topic

    The future management of water extraction throughout the Murray-Darling Basin will prompt discussions next month at Leeton.

Media Releases - 2018

Media Releases - 2017

Media Releases - 2023

  • MDA National President Cr David Thurley talks with Trevor Chappel live on ABC

    MDA National President Cr David Thurley talks with Trevor Chappel, live on ABC Overnights about water flows and sharing the resources in one of our nation's greatest assets - the Murray Darling system.

  • Deputy PM talks energy, tourism and Basin plan

    AUSTRALIA’s Deputy Prime Minister made a fleeting visit to Echuca on Thursday. Issues raised included energy availability and pricing, the Murray Darling Basin and opportunities to grow the tourism industry along the Murray River.

  • Murray Darling Association response to Four Corners report

    The Murray Darling Association has renewed its call for local government to be given a voice in the implementation of the Basin Plan to support the continuing implementation and avoid a repeat of the problems revealed in last night’s Four Corners report.

  • MDA can help deliver the Plan

    Murray Darling Association visits Canberra to talk regional engagement for Basin councils. LOCAL governments need to be a part of the decision-making process in the continuing implementation of the Murray Darling Basin Plan.

  • MDA calls for greater input from local government

    A PEAK body with more than 100 member councils is calling for local government to be given more say in the future of the Murray-Darling Basin, to better balance competing interests.

  • Local Government urges Easter flows in the Murray

    Water will flow down the Murray this Easter, providing confidence to tourism operators and visitors alike, and supporting high visitation for camping and tourism areas along the river.

  • Local Government addresses Basin Ministers

    Over 100 councils from across the Murray-Darling Basin were represented by 3 peak bodies at the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council in Mildura.

Media Releases - 2015