Murray-Darling Basin Authority chief executive Andrew McConville said 35 projects developing basin-wide knowledge have been completed or are progressing via the five-year, $20 million Australian Government funded MD-WERP.
“This research program is building basin-wide knowledge in ecological health, climate adaptation, hydrology and social, economic, and cultural outcomes via two collaborative consortia established by CSIRO and La Trobe University,” said Mr McConville.
“The symposium is a once-a-year opportunity for researchers involved in the program to discuss progress and share their knowledge and innovation in basin science.
“During this year’s symposium we will be sharing some of the key research results to date.
“There are projects investigating the potential social and environmental impacts of the management and regulation of water, as well as research that evaluates how bushfires impact catchment runoff under current and future climates.”
Updated and best available science, including current MD-WERP research, is a critical input to the 2026 Basin Plan Review.
Earlier in the week MDBA chair Sir Angus Houston released the Early Insights Paper for the Basin Plan Review, which signals that science will continue to guide the MDBA’s work on current and future Basin management practice and decisions.
“Science is the backbone of informed decision-making, but it is not solely how we make our decisions – it requires collaboration, trust, and mutual understanding,” Mr McConville said.
“By involving basin communities in the scientific process, we ensure research is relevant, applicable, and effective.”
View the full list of the research presented at the symposium by going to www.mdba.gov.au/publications-and-data/publications/md-werp-annual-symposium-2024-posters.
