THE Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s independent panel assessing socio-economic conditions in the basin will hold public forums in Mildura and Wentworth this week.
Federal Water Resources Minister David Littleproud announced the establishment of the panel during a trip to Mildura in June.
At the time, Mr Littleproud said it was being established to give the government feedback into how the Murray-Darling Basin Plan (MDBP) was effecting basin communities.
The panel finalised its terms of reference late last month after submissions from stakeholders including farmers, tourist operators, First Nations and non-agriculture sectors.
More than 100 people made submissions.
“Our goal is to make sure we have a strong body of evidence to underpin any recommendations from our assessment of social and economic conditions across the Basin,” panel chair Robbie Sefton said.
“We also understand that the panel can’t reach every stakeholder in the basin for consultation.”
The terms of reference include assessing positive and negative impacts of water reforms including the MDBP; supporting long-term efforts to understand social and economic conditions and the impact of water reform and exploring options to support sustainable rural and regional communities in the basin.
Mr Littleproud last month allocated $3.2 million for the panel to enable it to consult 22 towns in the Murray-Darling basin.
“It will mean the panel can make up its own mind about what research it needs,” he said.
The first meetings were held in the NSW Riverina districts and eastern Victoria and will continue to Loxton in South Australia before heading to Bourke later this month.
An online survey is being made available for people unable to attend the meetings.
The panel will deliver an interim report to Mr Littleproud by December with the final report due in April next year.
The Mildura drop-in session is at the Benetook Room of Alfred Deakin Centre today from 9-11am and the Wentworth Town Hall from 9-11am on Wednesday. A forum will also be held in Menindee on Tuesday.
More on the panel can be found at the www.basin-socio-economic.com.au website.
