Connecting people to connect rivers

In the Murray–Darling Basin connectivity amounts to one single idea, continuity of river flows. Delivery across the vast territory of the Basin will involve another kind of connectivity, of government with communities.

Facilitating this coming together of government and community is a ‘soft diplomatic’ priority for the Murray–Darling Basin Authority. For too long, Basin communities have faced significant water challenges, from droughts to flooding, and everything in between. The impacts on local communities, agriculture, and the environment have been devastating.

As I outlined in my address to the MDBA conference back in June, it is time for a new approach in the Basin. I emphasized the importance of listening to and amplifying the voices of local communities in water management decision-making. True connectivity goes beyond just physical infrastructure, but also encompasses social and cultural connections.

In the first week of Spring, I took over a dozen public service officials from the Federal and NSW water sector on a three-day problem-solving tour of the Menindee Lower Darling. Subtext: listening tours alone, are done. By bringing together experts from various levels of government, the tour represented a collaborative effort to tackle the complex issues plaguing the region.

The premise is prosaic. By immersing themselves in the local context, I believe officials would gain a deeper understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities in the Lower Darling. By engaging with local stakeholders, including farmers, Indigenous communities, and environmental groups, the officials tapped into the collective wisdom of those most affected by water management decisions.

Along the Lower Darling anabranch, water infrastructure has been a shared frustration. No site has been more frustrating than Dam 183, a critical support to the economy of the Great Darling Anabranch including acting as the gateway for water back into cropping lakes on the Anabranch.

Dam 183 has faced challenges in recent years, including drought and low water levels, maintenance and repair needs and controversies surrounding water management practices. Now, collectively, officials from Water NSW and other agencies have gone away to find the answers – including discovery of what part of government is responsible for repairs on decades old infrastructure? This is key to securing the renewal of engineering certification that the Weir is fit for purpose. And only then can the Anabranch Water Trust be secure in taking over ownership from the state, as intended. The Weir is akin to a jigsaw piece in a larger picture where just about every piece is consequential, Dam 183 is a critical component of the Lower Darling region's water infrastructure, and its effective management is essential for balancing competing demands on the water supply while protecting the environment.

This problem-solving tour was not just a fact-finding mission; it's the rubber hitting the road in the Authority’s commitment to finding solutions. In an era of complex challenges and interconnected problems, government agencies can no longer afford to work in silos. Sometimes what we find is either the community itself doesn't know who to talk to, and sometimes agencies themselves aren't talking to each other. That is a sad indictment on government.

But we know that government is a complex beast. And so, we've got to find better ways of working together. When agencies collaborate, they can break down bureaucratic barriers, leverage collective expertise by pooling knowledge and skills and supporting all agencies to tackle complex problems from multiple angles, leading to more innovative and effective solutions. On the ground we saw immediately the opportunities in agencies working together to provide a more cohesive and responsive experience for citizens.

The Lower Darling region tour is a shining example of the power of connectivity in government. At three Mile Creek we saw vividly how crumbling infrastructure was hampering landowners from being able to benefit from more continuous flows. Working with the NSW State government we can now jointly identify solutions to flow regime change and possible infrastructure replacement that would allow more consistent flows down Three Mile Creek, A win for the people and the environment.

In Pooncarie, we met with stakeholders from the NSW South West Water Users Association (SWWU) and representatives from two Local Government Areas, including Wentworth Mayor Daniel Linklater, to understand what water quality means to them. Accounts varied but a clear message emerged. Quality goes well beyond having potable water. Water is cherished for the richness it delivers in the natural environment, for sustaining food and fibre production and enriching sport, tourism and recreation. So much economic and community wellbeing is tied to quality water supply.

The Authority has laser focus on continuing to find ways to improve the delivery of the Murray–Darling Basin plan. Trust and satisfaction are paramount to maintaining strong social licence for Australia’s world leading approach to sharing our river water. Connectivity is particularly crucial. By collaborating across agencies, government officials can better develop comprehensive solutions that balance competing demands, protect the environment, and support local communities.

From climate change to social inequality, connectivity will be key to unlocking effective solutions. I will resist the urge to shout Hooray for Government in pubs and paddocks up and down the Basin until the most intractable connectivity challenges are finally dealt with. But I will keep emphasising the importance of bringing together government to reckon with these challenges and the leadership opportunity that involves for the Murray–Darling Basin Authority.

I am certain we are on the right path.

Patience must remain the watchword in forming expectations around timelines for connectivity activity into the future.

The Chinese philosopher?Lao Tzu?said; “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step”. He wasn't wrong, because you won't get anywhere unless you start the journey.