Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder Simon Banks has visited the Barmah Choke and witnessed bank erosion on the Murray River near Moama.
Dr Banks was hosted by the Murray Regional Strategy Group, which appreciated the visit, and Dr Banks has since reported that he found inspiration and information from the day.
Water lobby groups have been critical of the environmental holders for not seeking out local knowledge in river management.
The strategy group said it was keen to work with governments to deliver the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, with its member organisations being adamant this can be achieved without damaging water buybacks which are being pursued by the Federal Government.
MRSG chair Geoff Moar said governments and their agencies should be working collaboratively with those who have local knowledge, and in doing so their efforts can overcome some of the unforeseen negative impacts of the basin plan.
After the visit, Dr Banks said it was important that government representatives who work in water hear straight from stakeholders about their local and broader concerns.
“What’s just as valuable is the chance to answer questions and consider ideas about how we can improve,” he said.
Mr Moar said the importance of working with local people to achieve the best outcomes was highlighted at the meeting in Deniliquin.
“When the basin plan was modelled, it was not understood that once a certain flow height is reached in the Murray River, water actually heads north across the floodplain and as a result the proposed volumes under the plan cannot physically be delivered,” he said.
“We explained this and other issues to Dr Banks, and I believe following our workshop he has a greater appreciation for some of the challenges that are faced when authorities try to send huge quantities of water down the system.”
It was explained to Dr Banks that by looking at multiple pathways of delivering both operational and environmental water, win-win outcomes can be achieved for the environment, farmers and communities across the region. It can also protect jobs and help farmers grow more food, thus helping to ease the cost of living crisis.
“By working with locals on localised projects we can protect our environment without increasing the pressure on the Murray River, and also without more buybacks,” Mr Moar said.
“Over many decades of water reform, the one constant in an ever-changing landscape has been local knowledge and experience.
“However, at the same time there has been a revolving door of departmental and political representatives, at times seeing knowledge lost and individuals or governments working across different agendas.
“As we explained to Dr Banks, this is another key reason why there should be more input from those with the local lived knowledge and experience.”
Dr Banks was accompanied by Federal Department of Environment acting branch head of the southern basin taskforce and portfolio environmental water division, Angus MacGregor.