News

Water Buy-back Modelling Report Released

According to the reporting from the ABC, the release of an Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE) report which models the impact of the $1.5 billion in water buybacks vindicates the water buy-back program operating in the Murray-Darling Basin.

Western Australia's Murray groundwater plan open for comment

The Western Australian Department of Water is seeking public input into the draft Murray groundwater allocation plan which it released on April 16th. The public comment period is open for 2 months.

Campaspe irrigators to permanently exit farming

The Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project (NVIRP) has provided drought-stricken farmers in the Campaspe Irrigation District with options to exit irrigation. At a meeting held by NVIRP in Rochester, 108 of 153 irrigators revealed their intention to permanently exit irrigation, most likely resulting in the closure of the Campaspe Irrigation District.

Using Market Approaches for Water Recovery

The Productivity Commission has issued a major research report on the Federal Government's buy-back of water entitlements in the Murray-Darling Basin. The report outlines a number of recommendations to improve the recovery and management of water for the environment of the Basin.

Indigenous water rights disputed in the Northern Territory

Indigenous communities seeking radical new rights over northern Australian waters are in for a tough fight after both sides of Northern Territory politics voiced opposition to the plan, reported the Australian newspaper today.

A Healthy Land Yarn: Understanding Aboriginal Cultural Heritage

NQ Dry Tropics has developed a booklet A Healthy Land Yarn: Aboriginal Cultural Heritage, designed to share indigenous cultural heritage with the landcare community and contribute to managing cultural resources. The publication was developed in partnership with the Department of Environment and Resource Management's Townsville Cultural Heritage Unit. NQ Dry Tropics Community Engagement Officer Leah Saltner said through the Traditional Owner Caring for Country Plan, which was produced by NQ Dry Tropics with input from Traditional Owners in 2005, it was obvious that Traditional Owners were passionate about having access to country.

Summary of Issues for the Murray-Darling Basin Plan Released

The Murray-Darling Basin Authority has now released a summary of issues raised in the 155 submissions to the sustainable diversion limits issues paper.

In November last year, the MDBA released for public comment the Development of sustainable diversion limits for the Murray-Darling Basin issues paper which sets out the proposed process for developing SDLs and explains how they may be expressed in the Basin Plan. Comments on the issues paper from 12 November to 18 December 2009.

Scientists Release Nine Step Proposal for Improved Water Planning

Last week, more than 30 of Australia's leading freshwater scientists and ecologists released a statement of principles for what they called "a once-in-a-life time opportunity to restore the ailing Murray-Darling Basin".

Next Round of Water Buybacks Opened for Southern Murray Darling

A new round of water purchasing in the southern Murray Darling Basin worth $120 million has been opened - marking the second water buy-back tender as part of the Government’s $3.1 billion Restoring the Balance in the Murray Darling Basin program.

Science and Best Practices in Coastal Management

A special themed issue of Science for Environment Policy focusing on Coastal Management is now available for free download. This thematic issue explores research to help policy makers reduce the negative impacts of coastal change and guide successful coastal management.