Murray Darling Basin

Immediate risk of deterioration and degradation

·         Australia’s most important river system!

·         The Murray River’s drainage basin covers over 1,000,000 km², beginning in Queensland and extending though NSW, Victoria and South Australia

·         The Darling River is the longest in Australia with an even larger catchment than the Murray

·         Both river systems support agriculture and a wide variety of ecosystems, and have archaeological, scientific, ecological, Indigenous and European cultural and historic significance

This river system and catchment is the life-blood of much of Australia supplying vital water, agricultural and ecosystem services to Australians, their livelihood and their environment.

THREAT:

River flow has been drastically reduced in both systems, ceasing altogether in some places. 95% of the Murray is degraded due to historical over allocation of water, and only 10% of pre-European fish populations remain.

DESIRED OUTCOME/VISION:

Both rivers must be returned to good health. Government, business and community must continue to work together to restore the river system.

FATE/OUTCOME:

Suffering